Lee Tetkowski
One of the League’s most influential and vital members for almost 60 years, Lee Tetkowski, died peacefully at age 101 on Independence Day, her favorite holiday. It’s fitting that every year there will be fireworks honoring her long and active life. Many years ago, Lee was active in the Kenmore League until there were enough League members to start a Grand Island chapter. She was one of the founders and leaders on Grand Island until all the local Leagues merged in the League of Women Voters of Buffalo/Niagara in 1997. Her passion for public education led to her leadership of a League Education Committee and a study of charter schools. Members of the committee were often asked to monitor the annual drawings for placement in charter schools in this area. When a League program organized by the Education Committee conflicted with a meeting of the school board superintendents’ association about a decade ago, the group changed its meeting date in deference to Lee. A longtime activist, Lee marched in the first Women’s March on January 17, 2017, and was briefly interviewed on the TV news that evening. Lee’s contributions to the League were too many to mention, but many of us have considered her our role model for our League service. We honored Lee by creating the LWVBN LEE Award for members who have made a Long Term Commitment to the League with Energy and Excellence. Lee’s love of life, talent as a weaver, and many contributions to education and the League will long be remembered.
In Neil Tetkowski’s tribute to his mother, he issued this invitation: A public celebration of life will take place on October 19, 2024, at 2:00 p.m., followed by a reception at the Burchfield Penney Art Center. Friends, family, former students and the general public are invited to attend. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lee’s memory may be made in support of the Tetkowski Family Endowment at the Burchfield Penny Art Center, 1300 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14222.
Agnes Annis
On July 9, longtime League member and supporter Agnes Annis passed away peacefully at age 96. Agnes
and her late husband, Bob, were among the group who delivered the printed Voters Guides each year when we published them. She also volunteered to deliver They Represent You brochures and assist in many voter service registration efforts. Both Agnes and Bob were regular attendees at League program events.
June Licence
June was a League member for many years. She was especially active in efforts in the community for peace education, restorative justice programs and world peace advocacy. She died on May 19, 2024, at age 85. On September 1, there was a tribute to her life at the annual Labor Day celebration at the home she shared with her lifelong companion, Roger Cook. League members were invited to attend.
Terri Parks
Geri Smith
Geraldine (Geri) Smith recently passed away peacefully in hospice in the Washington, D.C., area where
she had lived since 2018. Before she moved, Geri was an active member of LWVBN and she continued her
League membership in Washington. When our local members marched in the parade to celebrate 75 years of the League, Geri was one of those who dressed as suffragists and marched. She will be missed.
Judy Metzger