Obituary - Amalia Marie Lang

Sweet Amy, Mom, Nana, Aunt, Cousin, Friend, died on July 16, 2022, after a five-year health battle following a stroke. She has arrived in Heaven and has been greeted at the gates by her parents, Frank and Helen (Serafin) Paladino; along with her three siblings, Lenny (Joan) Paladino, Lee (Richie) Borelli, Nancy (John) Jorge; numerous family and friends.

Sweet Amy had an extraordinary life in the 86 years she was on earth. Much of that time was shared with her husband of 65 years, Robert (Bob) Lang, AKA “The Duke.” On their first date, they talked late into the night about books and that love of reading never ended between them. Even when Amy could no longer read due to her stroke, Bob arranged for her favorite books to be put on tape for her to listen to. At the time she passed, she was listening to her book club’s July book. Her favorite saying was “A Day without Reading is like a Day without Sunshine.”

Amy’s life began in Brooklyn, where she lived in a 5th floor cold water flat with several generations sharing one apartment. Education was always important to Amy. She entered kindergarten a year early, skipped a level in grade school and won a high school scholarship before graduating at age 16. Though she was not able to complete college herself, she considered it a huge triumph in her life that her three children, Robert (Susan) Lang, Kurt (Iris) Lang and Lisbeth Lang, all graduated with college degrees. Her second triumph was watching her family grow with grandchildren: Jessica Lang, Harry Lang, Carissa (David) DeCesaris and Jaime Scott.

Amy was a fascinating individual at cocktail parties due to the number of jobs she had over her lifetime. She began working as a secretary in New York City before her first career as an Airline Hostess in the mid-1950’s for Capital Airlines at the brand-new O’Hare Airport. She took a break to raise her children before going back to work as the Bridal Registry Consultant at G. Fox & Co. in Connecticut. Once Bob and she relocated to Richmond in 1984, she began her last career working for a temp agency with a variety of jobs before finishing at Reynolds Metals. She always said the most fascinating job she ever had was feeding the leeches for a VCU medical doctor.

Sweet Amy and The Duke loved to travel, whether it was driving the pre-I-95 days to Florida or camping on their beloved Cape Cod. After retirement, they traveled the USA several times such as via Rt. 66 and once coast to coast by bicycle. While Bob peddled all day, Amy ran the chuck wagon, feeding 51 people in each new town they arrived in. When they did travel by car, Amy and Bob had a passion for visiting as many Presidential Libraries as they could, but fell a little short. Growing up in New York City, it is no surprise that Amy had a love of theater and museums. She visited many all over the world, even if she went by herself.

Amalia was given her name because it was the name her mother was to have when she became a Nun, which didn’t happen. Raised in a Catholic household, religion was an important part of her daily life. She always carried a Rosary and sung along to her favorite hymns during mass. In the 38 years she was a member of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, she and Bob volunteered in numerous roles. She was also a devoted pastoral care volunteer at St. Mary’s hospital.

In lieu of flowers, our family would like you to do a good deed in Sweet Amy’s name and pick up a book and read it. Amy would highly recommend her favorite book “And Ladies of the Club.” We will always remember Sweet Amy when we see or hear “Let There Be Peace on Earth.”

Save the date: Amy’s Celebration of Life will be on Friday, October 14 at 1 p.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 9505 Gayton Road, Henrico, Va. 23229. Her Catholic Mass will conclude with her interment in St. Mary’s Columbarium, followed by a reception with family and friends, where we will laugh and trade stories. Our family welcomes all to attend.