Lury Wallenbeck

Lury Wallenbeck, 88, passed away peacefully on September 3, 2026. She was born on January 21, 1938, to Robert and Marguerite Scanlon. Lury was the youngest of seven brothers and three sisters and often mentioned how much she enjoyed growing up in a large family. She loved talking about her childhood, especially the summers her family spent at the cottage on the lake. Fishing with her mom was one of her happiest childhood memories, and those days stayed clear in her mind even as other memories faded.

Lury spent much of her life taking care of and helping others. She ran an in-home daycare for many years, and later worked for McGraw House, and as Clerk of Court for the Town of Ithaca. Children always made her light up. She adored her daycare children, and she loved being part of her own children’s and grandchildren’s lives as they grew.

If you knew Lury, you knew she loved to dance. The second she heard music she was already heading to the dance floor. And if there wasn’t a dance floor, she made one. She also enjoyed camping, swimming, and as she would always remind her family, jumping rope.

Lury was predeceased by her husband, Merton Wallenbeck; her longtime partner, Philip Liberatore; and her grandson, Zachary Wallenbeck.

She leaves behind her children, Jeffrey (Mary) Wallenbeck, Rebecca (Bruce) Murray, and Douglas (Lauri) Wallenbeck; her grandchildren, Audrey Fisher, Brian (Sara) Murray, Zoey (Mitch) Doney, and Connor Wallenbeck; her great grandchildren, Colton and Amelia Fisher; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.

Though she is no longer with us, Lury will remain in our hearts forever. Her warmth, kindness, and joyful spirit will be remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Out of respect for her wishes, there will not be a formal service. The family will gather for a private burial in Ithaca, New York.

‍