EHLINGER - Carmen (nee Alvarez) Of Orchard Park, NY, May 4, 2024, at age 78. Beloved wife of Peter J. Ehlinger; dearest mother of Melinda C. Ehlinger, Jeffrey M. Ehlinger and Jennifer C. (late David) Ehlinger-Saj; grandmother of Cameron; loving daughter of the late Vincent and Lola (Fernandez) Alvarez; sister of Rose (late Albert) Neubauer, and the late Vincent (late Darlene) Alvarez Jr. and Dolores Alvarez; also survived by beloved nieces and nephews, friends and family. Family and friends will be present Thursday, May 16, 2024 from 4-7 PM for a Celebration of Life Gathering at the CASTIGLIA FUNERAL HOME, INC., 873 Abbott Rd., South Buffalo, NY, (716) 824-6435 where a Funeral Service will be held at 6:30 PM. Carmen attended Dover High School where she graduated with honors as a member of the National Honor Society and excelled in several varsity sports. She met the love of her life, Peter Joseph, in the U.S. Army's Picatinny Arsenal. They enjoyed 57 1/2 years together. They lived in Montreal, Canada and moved all over the U.S. Carmen attended Southeast Missouri College and Cornell University. They settled in Orchard Park to raise their family. Carmen was a devoted wife and mother, known for spoiling friends and family with her hospitality and gourmet cooking. Carmen loved to laugh and valued kindness above all. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions in Carmen's memory to FeedMore WNY as a tribute to her service of over a decade delivering Meals on Wheels to the homebound elderly out of St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Orchard Park. Please share your condolences at: www.castigliafuneralhome.com