Anna Mae "Mazie" (VanDuzer) Lantz

Anna Mae “Mazie” Lantz, 94, of Athens, PA, passed away peacefully surrounded by her family on Thursday, April 23, 2026 at Robert Packer Hospital.

She was born on March 12, 1932, the daughter of the late Birdsey and Anna (Colegrove) VanDuzer.

Mazie graduated from Athens High School, a proud Bulldog in the Class of 1950. She loved to cook for anyone and everyone which led her for many years working in many local restaurants. Over the years, she was employed as a Cook with Elba Kitchens, Towanda Motel, and Stateline Auto Auction. She worked as a Waitress at Oasis Diner in Endicott, Skylark Diner in Vestal, Redwood Dairy Bar, and Forrest House. Prior to her retirement, Mazie was employed with the DMV in Monroeton, PA.

Her home was always open to anyone and everyone, and was considered the neighborhood hangout.

Throughout her life, she was a social butterfly, and the first to host the parties. Mazie could interact with people that she had just met and talk to them like she had known them for years. Her love for people was genuine and her kindness and caring was always apparent in the way she lived her life. She was loved and respected by all who knew her and she will be missed. Mazie was a previous member of the ARC Club.

She enjoyed shopping but Mazie had a true love for cooking and baking. One of her highlights was baking cookies for all the holidays with her grandkids and great-grandkids. She loved just spending time with them, and teaching them to do something that she loved doing her whole life. Mazie leaves behind a legacy of love, generosity, and kindness.

In addition to her parents, she is predeceased by her beloved husband of 36 years, Robert H. Lantz, brothers, Leroy, Chester, Paul, Bobby, and Rodney VanDuzer, sisters, Alice Horton, Grace Crandall, Lilian Talada, and Helen Gesford.

Anna Mae is survived by her loving children, Debra (Robert) Brown of Waverly, NY, Saundra “Sandy” (Ray) Thurston of Towanda, PA, Robert, Jr. (Julia) Lantz of Ulster, PA, and John Lantz of Athens, PA, grandchildren, Amy Lynn Nero and Frank, Christopher Kepner and Sara, Ashley Lantz and Dillon, Ray Thurston and J-Lynd, Alicia Lantz and Will, and Amanda Lantz and Alex, 15 great-grandchildren,

4 great-great-grandchildren, several nieces, nephews, cousins, and her close friend, Carol Smith. 

A Celebration of Life Service will be announced at a later time.  Arrangements have been entrusted to the Lowery-Urban Funeral Home and Cremation Services, Inc., Athens, PA.

Memorial donations may be sent in Anna Mae’s name to Walk for Our Buddies, PO Box 42, Wysox, PA 18854/walkforourbuddies.org or Penn-York Opportunities, 101 S. main St., Athens, PA 18810/

pennyorkopportunities.org.

(For those wishing to sign the E-guestbook or send condolences may do so by visiting www.loweryfuneralhome.com.)

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