Harriet Kathryn (Carson/MacRae) Longchamps left this life peacefully on Sunday, September 19, 2010. She was born March 23, 1925 to Francis & Kathryn (Keenan) Carson of Buffalo, NY but rooted to Batavia for the majority of her adult life. She worked several jobs, but those who knew her will always remember her as being owner/operator of Longchamps Telephone Answering Service in Batavia from the mid 1960’s until its close in the late 1980’s. Her soothing, bass voice was a perfect match for the phone lines.
She weathered many adversities in life, but never fell prey to self pity. Choosing, instead, to meet the challenges, gather strength from her trials & find the good in every living moment.
If any single attribute could define her, it would be motherhood and its continuous ripples from one generation through to the next, over and again. Her legacy lies not only in her own children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren, but in the innumerable other young ones that she pulled into the fold.
She will be remembered for her countless tabletop coffee consultations, her endless supply of tales to tell and her enormous heart and humor.
She was predeceased by her son, Kelly Longchamps who, no doubt, will have a room ready for her & a cup of coffee waiting.
She is survived by her sons; James D. (Joan) MacRae III of Batavia; Eric J. (Raylene) MacRae of FL; Patrick (Peggy Berndt) MacRae of Verona; as well as her daughters Ellen (Steven) Hagen; Kathleen Longchamps of Batavia; Kristine Flicker of Newport Beach, CA. She also leaves behind grandchildren James, Patrick & Bridget MacRae, Jocelyn McKim, Nicholas, Margaret & Grace Flicker, Bevan, Ethan, Martin, Emma & Adah Hagen, Rachael Ciociola, Tammy Morgan & Tina Hartgrove, as well as several great & great-great-grandchildren.
Friends are invited to call from 7 to 9 PM on Friday September 24, 2010 at Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 W. Main St. Batavia, NY 14020. A Mass of remembrance to be held at a later date. A gathering of friends, family and anyone who wishes to stop by will take place @ 2:00 PM on Saturday September 25, 2010 at her daughter’s home.
In lieu of flowers memorials are suggested to the family. For more information or to sign the online guest registry please go to www.gilmartinfuneralhome.com or call 343-8260. Arrangements completed by Gilmartin Funeral Home & Cremation Company, Inc. 329-333 W. Main St. Batavia, NY 14020.
