It is with sadness that the family of Laura Ann Cassedy Bitter announces her passing on Oct. 4, 2017.

Laura was born in Albany, N.Y. on Jan. 21, 1929 to Anne McBride Cassedy and Spencer Daniel Cassedy. She grew up with her beloved parents and sister Eleanor Cassedy Leggett at the farm on Farm-to-Market Road just up the hill from Mechanicville in Saratoga County.

After her high school graduation as salutatorian, she went on to Cornell University, College of Human Ecology. She attended a 4-H picnic at Cornell and met Victor Bitter Jr. Being a smart man, he married her and they eventually had four children. Vic died in 1969 and she carried on the job of raising four teenagers by being a role model that they are very proud of.

Her professional working life consisted of teaching, social work and of being the head of the Home Economics division of Cornell Cooperative Extension in Sullivan County, N.Y.

Her retirement years found her relocating to Tryon, N.C. She became immersed in the community with volunteer work, singing in choirs and the quilt club. She adored her 12 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren and was able to enjoy time with them. Laura loved to travel and would go at the drop of a hat.

Laura is survived by her children, Daniel (Mary) Bitter of Monroe, Conn., his children, Sarah Bitter, Faith (Chris Ferguson) Bitter, Nathanael Bitter and Rachael Bitter; and two great grandchildren, Wendy and Noelle. Granddaughter Joanna (Bill McCoy) Bitter preceded her in death.

Suzanne Churchill, Knoxville, Tenn. and her daughters Melissa (Alan) Snyder and Lauren Churchill, son-in-law Gary Churchill of Lynn, N.C. and two great grandchildren Haley and Zac.

Allen Bitter and wife Jan, Skaneateles, N.Y. and their children Kathleen (Sam) Rhodes, Susan Bitter and Tom Bitter.

Paula Bitter Mierop, Tryon, N.C. and her sons Owen (Jill) Zweck and Russell (Sydney) Mierop. Two great grandsons Gabriel and Alexander.

Also surviving are her sisters children, Diane, Carol, David, Sandra, Sylvia and Douglas. Most are located “up home” in and around Saratoga County, N.Y.

Her faith was strong and she loved her United Methodist Church family. The family wishes to acknowledge her close friends Shirley Arledge and Nancy Hiley. Memorials may be made in her honor to the Tryon United Methodist Church, 195 New Market Road, Tryon, NC 28782.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, Oct. 7, 2017 in Tryon United Methodist Church at 3 p.m. Wear your favorite sweater! Laura’s ashes will be placed next to her husband in Hudson View Cemetery, Mechanicville, N.Y. with a date to be announced.

An online guest register is available at www.mcfarlandfuneralchapel.com.

McFarland Funeral Chapel & Crematory
Tryon, N.C.