Lorinda Ackley Mazur, 72, died peacefully Wednesday, Nov. 13, at her home in Richmond with her loving family by her side.
Lorinda was born Sept. 24, 1947, in Great Barrington to the late Ben and Barbara Gear Ackley. She grew up on Empire Farm in Copake, New York. She attended Roeliff Jansen Central School in Hillsdale, New York, then she attended Green Mountain College and earned her associate degree in accounting. She married Thomas P. Mazur at the Little Pink Chapel in Las Vegas, Nevada, and they spent 40 loving years together.
At 14 years old, Lorinda began her career in the telecommunications business, sorting call tickets for the family-owned Copake Telephone Company. By 1975 she became general manager of Richmond Telephone and, in 1985, president of Taconic Telephone Corporation.
Lorinda was the first woman elected to the Unites States Telephone Association board of directors as well as chairperson of USTA’s Government Relations Committee, testifying on behalf of the telecommunications industry before the U.S. Congress, receiving an award from USTA for her service.
She was also chairperson of the New York State Telecom Association; inductee of New York State Telephone Hall of Fame; board member of Telephone Association of New England, Columbia County Economic Development, Berkshire Medical Center, Berkshire School and various other associations and committees; and a strong supporter of her community. Additionally, she was a member of the First Congregational Church in Stockbridge.
Lorinda enjoyed playing tennis and golf; watching basketball; visiting her camp in Rangeley, Maine; sister vacations; and spending time with her grandchildren.
Besides her husband, Tom, Lorinda is survived by children Catherine B. Dullaghan of Pittsfield and John A. Dullaghan of Northport, New York; grandchildren Alexi Starks, Jalen and Brooklyn Duck, and Reilly and Lucas Dullaghan; sisters Judith Whitbeck, Marilyn Herrington, Mary Ackley and Elizabeth Rafferty; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. She also leaves her favorite cat, Purrky.
The funeral service for Mrs. Lorinda A. Mazur will be held Monday, Nov. 18, 2019, at 1 p.m. at the First Congregational Church, 4 Main St., Stockbridge, MA 01262. Calling hours will be held Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, from 1 to 4 p.m. at the Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main St., Lenox, MA 01240. Burial will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lorinda’s memory may be made to Elizabeth Freeman Center, 43 Francis Ave., Pittsfield, MA 01201 and/or First Congregational Church in Stockbridge, MA 01262.
