EAST LIVERPOOL — Attorney Mary Sue Lang, of East Liverpool, passed away Tuesday, May 28, 2019 at the Crandall Medical Center in Sebring following a short illness. She was 83.

Born in East Liverpool, Jan. 11, 1936, she was the daughter of the late Attorney Francis Harover Lang and Rachel Louise Boyce Lang. She was graduated as Salutatorian from East Liverpool High School in 1953 and received her B.F.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1957 where she was a member of Alpha Chi Omega Sorority. In 1959, Mary Sue earned her M.A. from Case Western Reserve University and her Juris Doctor Cum Laude from Cleveland State University in 1974. Active in each alumni association, she continued to support her alma maters.

Mary Sue's professional career spanned both her love of art and her dedication to the law. She chaired the Art Department at Kirk Junior High School in East Cleveland from 1959-1963.

From 1963-1975 she was Coordinator of Art and Department Chair with the Rocky River Board of Education. Her practice of law began in East Liverpool in 1975 when she joined her father's law practice. Mary Sue was admitted to practice in Ohio, the U.S. District Court and the U. S. Supreme Court. Her professional memberships included the Columbiana County Bar Association, the Ohio State Bar Association, the American Bar Association and the National Association of Women Lawyers.

Giving to her community was important to Mary Sue. She was very active serving the East Liverpool United Way as Director at one time and as President 1981-1983. From 1976-1979 she was a Director of the East Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. Mary Sue was active with the Kent State University East Liverpool Campus where she served on the Advisory Board and received the Friends of Campus Award Wall of Fame, May 2, 1997. In addition to her interest in East Liverpool, she participated in a variety of clubs and service organization: Campfire Kinoka Council Board (1976-1980); Quota Club President (1986-1988), Helen Gould Literary Club, Esther Bible Club, Forget-Me-Not Alzheimer's Respite Program Board (1994 to present), as well as a member of the board of the Columbiana County Motor Club AAA since 1995. A member of the East Liverpool Rotary Club, she was past president and District 6650 Assistant Governor and also received the Paul Harris Fellowship Award of Rotary International.

Art was Mary Sue's passion and she shared it with the community in conjunction with the East Liverpool Area Chamber of Commerce by designing and assisting in the execution of murals located on the former Ogilvie's building, Central Service, the former First National Bank, and the East Liverpool City Hospital Children's Ward. Mary Sue left her artistic mark at her church sanctuary as well where her decorative banners have been displayed for many years. In 1969, she presented the church with a pictorial batik history on display in the sanctuary in honor of her grandmother, Sue Esterly Boyce.

Being faithful to her church was one of the most important parts of Mary Sue's life. As a member of the First United Methodist Church, she gave her time and energy by serving on the Administrative Board, Council on Ministries, Worship Committee and taught the Wesleyan Crusaders Adult Sunday School Class. In 2019, the church named her Sunday School Class in her honor. That same year, she was named the Annual Honoree for Special Missions by the Women's Society of the church. She also served on the Steubenville District Strategic Task Force from 1989 to 1990. Her activity in the East Ohio Conference included: Commission on Status & Role of Women, Board of Trustees, and the Conference Restructuring Task Force.

Mary Sue was honored for much of her service: Spirit of '76 Religious Freedom Award; John Collier Award in Business and Finance; Quotarian of the Year in 1989, Who's Who of American Women and Beta Kappa Pi Legal Honorary.

She is survived by two brothers: Charles B. Lang and his wife, Rebecca, of East Liverpool, Ohio, and James R. Lang and his wife, Marilyn, of Trumbull, Connecticut. There are three nephews: Lance, Christopher and Jimmy, as well as a niece Barbara Spratley, along with several great nieces and nephews.

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