Obituary of Miss Loretto A. vonBuehren

Loretto A. vonBuehren, 84, of Delhi, passed away peacefully at her home early Sunday morning, April 2, 2017, following a short illness. She was born on October 11, 1932 to the late William F. and Loretto V. (Harbourne) vonBuehren in New York City. A few months later, the family moved to Mahopac, NY, where she grew up on a small farm. At this time, her activities were working and playing at home, swimming, sledding, biking, roller and ice skating, square and social dancing, and playing the violin. She attended and graduated from Mahopac Central School. Loretto helped pay for her college expenses, working six summers as a life guard and teaching swimming. Her strong desire for learning sport skills and having the opportunity to participate in them, as well as providing the opportunity for others, led to her professional choice. In 1950, Loretto entered Cortland State Teacher College, where she was actively involved in a variety of sport activities, such as: Bowling Club, Synchronized Swimming Club (writing, directing, and swam in some routines), Ski Club, Women's Gymnastics Team (President in Sr. Year), the Women's Athletic Council, and both team and individual intermural sports. In her senior year she was also treasurer of her sorority. Loretto graduated in 1954 with a B.S. Degree in Health and Physical Education; plus an Instructor's Certificate in Driver Education. In later years she received a M.A. Degree in Physical Education from New York University. In 1954, Miss vonBuehren took a teaching position at Delaware Academy Central School in Delhi, where she proceeded to achieve her goal in life, teaching sport skills and knowledge to girls and women, providing the opportunity for them to participate at different levels and playing sports herself. For the first twenty years of her career she taught skills and knowledge in class, organized a variety of fourteen sport intramurals and extramurals, had an adult physical education class and taught some health and driver education. Meanwhile, she bowled in the local W.I.B.C Bowling league where she maintained a high average, was Team Captain, and League President for three years. Weekend activites varied with the season: Fall was local tennis and organizing Association Field Hockey where she played, was Vice-President for two years and Selection Chairperson for three years; Winter was playing competitive basketball and volleyball along with recreational skiing; Spring was Tennis; Summer was house projects, swimming, and A.S.A Softball where she was one of the pitchers for the team that was State Champions for four years. Loretto's professional organizations included: The Association of Women in Physical Education in New York State (President of the Oneonta area for two years); the American Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation; New York State Teacher's Association; Local Faculty Association; and the Oneonta Chapter of Women Officials (chairperson two years and mainly officiated college games for field hockey, basketball and some softball). In 1968, she purchased a home, where she had a big vegetable garden for many years and has kept busy maintaining the place since. Loretto enjoyed traveling, which included trips across the United States, Virgin Islands, Bermuda, the Caribbean and Canada. Her hobbies included participating in a variety of sport activities, gardening, doing crosswords, writing, singing and dancing, occasionally playing cards, Uke, and later watching T.V. In 1972, varsity sports for girls were finally allowed, classes remained the same, but intramural programs slowly disappeared, since there was neither time nor space for them anymore. She then coached field hockey, softball and for a few years, basketball, all the while still officiating when she could. After 35 years of teaching at Delaware Academy, she retired in 1989. Upon retirement, Loretto became an avid golfer and active member of the local women's association. During the winter, she helped to organize and played adult tennis. Yes, she did achieve her goal in life! In the twenty-first century (following injuries, etc..) her lifestyle changed somewhat. She was still an active golfer and volunteer, enjoyed maintaining here home and liked people. Besides here parents, She was predeceased by her step-mother Anne vonBuehren; step-brother, Henry and his wife, Rosemarie Grosskamp; and a step-brother-in-law, William Smith. She is survived by a step-sister: Ruth Smith, four step-nieces, a step-nephew and his spouse; four great step nieces and four great-step-nephews; a few cousins; and a good friend: Jo Ann Yaas. Following Loretto's wishes there will be no calling hours or funeral services. Arrangements are with MacArthur Funeral Home, Delhi. Please visit www.macarthurfh.com to share a condolence.