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Merry E. Lankow, of Cattaraugus and formerly of Salamanca, passed away Monday, July 24, 2023 at Olean General Hospital. She was born on March 12, 1946 in Gowanda, daughter of the late Robert and Hilda (Klein) Erhart. She graduated from Cattaraugus Central School, class of 1964, and attended Bryant and Stratton College. Following her education, Merry enlisted in the US Marines. On July 28, 1981 she married Fredric Lankow, who predeceased her in 2003.
For over 40 years, Merry was the office manager for Donver Inc., in Killbuck, and was active throughout her communities. In Salamanca, she was an active member of the Ray Evans Theater Association and a volunteer for the Cattaraugus County Living Arts Association (CCLAA). In Cattaraugus, Merry was on the board of directors for the Cattaraugus Free Library and an exempt member of the Cattaraugus Firemen's Auxiliary. She was also involved in the Let's Travel Club in Cattaraugus. Merry was also a member of the United Methodist Church in Cattaraugus and the Congregational Church in Salamanca. She and her husband, Fred, would host 18 exchange students through the years and she also enjoyed embroidery, doing puzzles and crossword puzzles, and enjoyed sending cards in the mail with her sister, Suzanne. Between holidays, birthdays, and events, she and her sister would mail out around 1,000 cards a year.
Merry is survived by a son, Bruce Lankow of Basalt, CO, and a daughter, Holly (Tom) Meister of Waynesville, NC. Also surviving is a sister, Suzanne Erhart of Cattaraugus, a grandchild, Tommy Meister, a brother-in-law, Ed Eberle and family, a sister-in-law, Dawn Ryan and family, her special friends Michael (Gretchen) Anderson and several cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Besides her parents and husband, Merry is predeceased by her canine buddies, Peanuts, Dreyfus, Charlie, and Mandy.
As per Merry's wishes, there will be no visitation or funeral services. A private family burial at Liberty Park Cemetery in Cattaraugus will be held.
Memorials may be made to the Cattaraugus Free Library, 21 Main St., Cattaraugus 14719, or the Cattaraugus County Living Arts Association, 10 Main St., Salamanca, NY 14779.
Arrangements are under the direction of Mentley Funeral Home Inc., 411 Rock City St. in Little Valley, NY.