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Thelma Crounse

ALTAMONT — Thelma Crounse made friends in all parts of her life — in her work for the Guilderland school district, in her church where she taught Sunday school, in the village where she lived, and as part of its seniors’ group with which she enjoyed luncheons and outings.

She died on Tuesday, Feb. 16, 2016. She was 95.

Mrs. Crounse was born on Oct. 16, 1920 in Halcottsville in the Catskills. She had two brothers, and their parents, the late Frank and Laura (née Pendell) Constable, performed in a band called The Constables.

“She preferred to dance,” said Mrs. Crounse’s daughter, Diane Trencansky.

As a young woman, she moved into the home of her mother’s friend in Schenectady, attending business college for two years to become a secretary; she then worked for General Electric, her daughter said.

She met Chester A. Crounse, the man who would become her husband, at the home of their mutual aunt — her Great Aunt Nel and Uncle Tom Constable lived in Guilderland. “She was a niece and he was a nephew from different sides of the family,” said Mrs. Trencansky of her parents.

The couple were married for 60 years, the union ending only with Chester Crounse’s death in 2005.

The Crounses settled in Altamont and raised their children — a daughter and three sons — there.

“She stayed home with us until she went to work for the school district,” said Mrs. Trencansky. She worked as an account clerk in the business office. “She loved to go to work every day and she had a lot of friends at the office,” her daughter said.

Mrs. Crounse was active in St. John’s Lutheran Church on Maple Avenue in Altamont and taught Sunday school there.

“She had lots of friends in the village,” said her daughter. “And, in her later years, she was a member of the Altamont Senior Citizens. She loved going to their luncheons every week and going on their trips.”

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Thelma Crounse is survived by her daughter, Diane Trencansky, and her husband, George, of Johnson City, New York; by her sons, David Crounse and his wife, Angela, of Florida, Robert Crounse of Sprakers, and Frank Crounse and his wife, Catherine, of Latham, New York.

She is also survived by her brother, Paul Constable, and his wife, Wanda; by 11 grandchildren; by great-grandchildren; and by nieces and nephews.

Her husband, Chester A. Crounse, died in 2005; her brother John, also died before her.

Calling hours will be held on Friday, Feb. 19, at the Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont, from 1 to 2 p.m. with a service to follow at 2 p.m. Interment will be in Fairview Cemetery in Altamont.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Altamont Senior Citizens, Post Office Box 678, Altamont, NY 12009.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer

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