Dee Kammermeier, 1936–2024

It saddens us to share that Dee Kammermeier, who served us as a docent and trustee for so many years, passed away on January 9th.

Dee Kammermeier, at left, as we last saw her, with Denise (Trustee) & Cliff Dickinson (past President, right) and Vice President Charles Woolever (foreground, right) at our October 18, 2023 Volunteer thank-you dinner at Flaherty’s in Honeoye Falls.

Dee was a tireless supporter of our Society, and would take every opportunity to staff our Museum for our Sunday afternoon hours. She loved engaging with people, and she cared deeply for her adopted community in the special way a person from western Pennsylvania could. She ensured our Museum was free from dust, cobwebs, spiders — any form of grime, really — and expected us all to be running a tight ship that she could be proud of. We will miss her dearly, for her care, her passion, and her spirit. She will be with us, always, and we are thankful we memorialized her on our Society plaque before she passed away. We genuinely loved her.

Here is her full obituary, as copied from the Merton Kays web site:

Delores Marie “Dee” Kammermeier (Mazzei), 87, of Honeoye Falls, NY died peacefully on January 9th in the home of her son in Bloomfield, NY. Dee was born on October 17, 1936, in Ellwood City, PA to Mary Mazzei (Folino) and Joseph A. Mazzei. She was the grandchild of the first baby born in Ellwood City after it was incorporated, Maria A. Mazzei (Friske).

After high school in Ellwood City, Dee went on to obtain a nursing degree in 1957 from the Providence Hospital School of Nursing in Beaver Falls, PA. She worked for a time at the local hospital in Ellwood City, and later relocated to Pittsburgh with her husband Richard J. Kammermeier of Pittsburgh. She worked at Allegheny General Hospital before moving on to the medical department of the H. J. Heinz Company factory on Pittsburgh’s North Side. In 1985, she was named a Heinz Person of the Year for her “very competent but quiet and unassuming” professionalism. Dee retired from Heinz in 1997. After her husband’s death, Dee relocated to Honeoye Falls, NY to be near her grandchildren, Maxwell and Jackson, whom she entertained with books and oral histories. She volunteered as a Town of Mendon Historical Society docent on Sundays and was known around town as that quick-witted lady who loved children.

Dee is survived by sons Richard J. Kammermeier (Breezy) of Ocean City, MD and Paul J. Kammermeier (Laura) of Bloomfield, NY, grandsons Maxwell S. and Jackson K. Kammermeier of Bloomfield, nephews Lou Kammermeier (Christine) of Pittsburgh, John Kammermeier (Phyllis) of New Jersey, Laura Kowatic (Marc) of Pittsburgh, David Breyer (Theresa) of Bartow, FL, sister Nancy (Ellwood City), as well as many great nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by spouse Richard J. Kammermeier (Pittsburgh, PA), brother George Mazzei (Ocala, FL), and parents Mary and Joseph Mazzei (Ellwood City).

Dee was a wonderful, caring, and giving person who always went the extra mile to make people feel heard and loved. She took the time to keep in touch with people she met in all phases of her life. Many who lived in her sphere consider her a second mother, bonus grandmother, or trusted friend. She will be missed and remembered always.

Memorial donations may be made to Finger Lakes Home Care Hospice, 756 Pre-emption Rd., Geneva, NY 14456 or to the Honeoye Falls-Town of Mendon Historical Society, P.O. Box 26, Honeoye Falls, NY 14472. The family wishes to extend their gratitude to all the children, young and old, who fulfilled Granny’s wish to love and be loved.