Alpha Mae Husted

Our angel, Alpha Mae Husted was born April 27, 1932 in Canisteo, New York  to Nell Salisbury Cott and Cletus Cott.  She spent much of her early childhood in Canisteo living with her grandmother and grandfather Salisbury (Nell’s parents) and her grandmother and grandfather Cott in Forksville, Pennsylvania.  Alpha frequently bragged that her ancestors never die, they just sleep away.  Alpha loved the mountains in Pennsylvania and visited every chance she got. The covered bridges and the family home were among her favorites. She enjoyed attending her recent high school reunion in Forksville a few years ago. Alpha had a beautiful singing voice in her youth and young adulthood. After high school, Alpha found herself moving to western, PA, where she sang with a band.  In the beginning of her singing career, she met and married her first husband, Louis Tantalo. They lived in Bradford, PA and had two sons, the late Louis Joseph “Joe” Tantalo and Augie Michael Tantalo.  As a young mother, Alpha loved spending time with her sons and being involved with their school. Some of her fondest memories included making Santa cookies for their classmates and adventures with the boys and their many animals. As her boys grew, Alpha became interested in the newspaper industry.  She wished to work in a  newsroom, so when she heard of an opportunity to work for an editor at the Bradford Era, she jumped on it. She took a correspondence course and soon mastered the copy desk.  She also helped the newspaper photographer and learned all about photography.  She learned the layout of the newspaper using a pica and rule. Alpha loved her time at the Bradford Era, and thrived in her newfound career as a newspaper reporter. She later moved to Eldred, PA, met her late husband, Edward Husted, and worked for The Olean Times Herald. They eventually moved to York, PA where she worked as a reporter for The York Dispatch.  She covered many important stories in the region.  During her time at the newspapers, she made many friends while continuing to pursue her passion for writing and reporting. Later, Alpha and Edward moved to Cassadaga, New York, where they owned and managed a golf club and restaurant. Alpha continued to write as a freelance journalist for many newspapers while running their new business. Eventually the nearby community of Lily Dale became their peaceful haven and residence. Alpha’s golden years included cherished summers at her lakeside home with her beloved grandchildren, Brooke and Cody Tantalo. She and Edward enjoyed traveling together and frequented the Caribbean island of Grenada. They also made a special trip to France to visit the places where Edward was stationed during WWII. After losing Edward in February 2014, Alpha sold her home in LilyDale and moved out west to Tempe, Arizona to live with her youngest son, Augie and his wife, Marguss. During this final chapter in her beautiful life, Alpha made many new friends and met new family members. She loved the time she was able to spend with her circle of friends from her church, Our Lady of Mount Carmel.  Alpha also made very special girlfriends in Rita Kirby and DeeDee Buckner.  She was loved by the Buckners, Livingstons, Darners, Jarmans, and Johns families who had the privilege to get  to know her well. Alpha recently celebrated her 85th birthday with friends and family at her Tempe home. Alpha was able to make frequent visits to the state of Washington to spend time with the family of her granddaughter Brooke, grandson-in-law Jason, and two great grandchildren Cole and Sylvie.  She also had many visits from her Pennsylvania family.  Among her visitors were her sisters Rosie and Laureen, her nieces Lana, Terri, and Michelle, and most recently her grandchildren and great grandchildren in March. She was also able to visit her stepsons, Dale, Todd, Craig and Allen Husted, daughter-in-law Debbie Tantalo,  her sister and nieces, as well as close friends and neighbors in Pennsylvania and New York several times after moving to Arizona. On Monday, June 26, Alpha slept away after bravely and gracefully fighting cancer for over five years. Alpha touched the lives of many individuals by sharing her love of life, kind spirit, and strong will. Services for Alpha will be held 9:30 A.M., Saturday, July 8, 2017, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic Church at 2117 S. Rural Road, Tempe, AZ.  A brunch will immediately follow at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints at 2702 S. College Avenue in Tempe (College and Alameda).  In October, as all of the trees are at the height of their beautiful fall colors, Alpha will be laid to rest alongside her forever sweetheart, Edward Husted, at the Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Portville, New York.  For those who feel inclined, Alpha’s family extends the invitation to make a donation to the Joe Tantalo Scholarship Fund, in care of the Bradford Area School District, 150 Lorana Ave, Bradford, PA 16701