Obituraries Archives — The Altamont Enterprise, January 18, 2007
Anna Margaret Fay
Anna Fay with her youngest great-granddaughter, Abigail Peck. "Abi just loved her Nana," said Irene Fay Peck, "and spent many days with her, listening to old stories about Nana’s wonderful life."
ALTAMONT — Anna Margaret Fay was a kind woman whose life centered around her family. She wrapped each of her five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren in love and in afghans she made herself.
She died on Tuesday, Jan. 16, 2007, at her daughter’s home in Altamont. She was 94.
"She was bubbly, never a complainer," said her daughter, Irene Fay Peck. "She was always sweet, always kind."
Mrs. Fay came to this country from Belfast in Northern Ireland when she was 17.
"She came over by herself to live with aunts in New York City," said her daughter. "She loved living in the United States."
Mrs. Fay went to work right away in New York City as a manicurist for Elizabeth Arden.
"She used to do Lucille Ball’s nails"That was her thrill," said her daughter. Mrs. Fay reported that her famous client "was just as funny and wacky in person as she was on TV," said Mrs. Peck.
She met the man who would become her husband, Milton Fay, at a dance in New York City.
"They fell in love and got married," said Mrs. Peck. They were married on May 18, 1935. They remained in love throughout the more than half-century of their marriage, said their daughter.
"They almost made their 55th anniversary," said Mrs. Peck. Mr. Fay died in 1995.
The Fays had a summer home on Warner’s Lake in East Berne and would commute from New York City, eventually settling there.
Mrs. Fay was "a great mother" to her two children, said Mrs. Peck. "She loved being a housewife," said her daughter. Her specialty was baking, especially cakes.
"My mother was a sweet tooth," said Mrs. Peck.
She also enjoyed knitting and crocheting, and making afghans for each of her five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
"The love of her life right now were her great-grandchildren," most of who live nearby, said Mrs. Peck. "She enjoyed them immensely."
In her earlier years, Mrs. Fay had enjoyed traveling, said her daughter. "Her and my Dad went on lots of trips and took lots of cruises," said Mrs. Peck. "They cruised through the Panama Canal when it opened."
Mrs. Fay also took a trip back to Ireland.
"She had a wonderful life," said her daughter. "She really enjoyed herself. She had no regrets."
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Anna Margaret Fay is survived by her son, Walter Fay, of Altamont; her daughter, Irene Fay Peck, and her husband, Russell, also of Altamont; her grandchildren, Lance Peck, and his wife, Patty, of Altamont, Greg Peck and his wife, Lisa, of Altamont, and Laurie Fay of Virginia; and also by 10 great-grandchildren — Christopher, Brittany, Jamie, Danielle, Jessica, Abigail, Griffin, Samantha, Scott, and Spencer.
Private services will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Hospice of Schenectady, 1411 Union St., Schenectady, NY 12308.
— Melissa Hale-Spencer
Judith A. Marion
Judith A. (Dunton) Marion, of Worcester, Mass. died Monday, Jan. 15, 2007, after a nine-month struggle with multiple myeloma, a cancer of the blood. She was 59.
Born in Worcester, daughter of Earl H. and Madalene (Traver) Dunton, she graduated from Classical High School in 1965. She worked at Paul Revere Insurance Company for several years. She also worked at several area florists.
She loved animals, and was a volunteer and board member for Dog Orphans, Inc. She was an avid flower gardener and loved interior decorating. Judi and Peter’s house and gardens in Uxbridge were featured in Country Decorating Ideas magazine.
She is survived by her devoted and loving husband of 15 years, Peter A. Marion, originally of Altamont, whom she called "the light of my life." She also leaves many other relatives, including her mother-in-law, Helen S. Marion of Altamont, and numerous caring and dedicated friends.
Caswell-King Funeral Home of Worcester is directing arrangements. Memorial contributions to support cancer research may be made to the Pan Mass Challenge, 77 4th Avenue, Needham, MA, 02494.
Harry W. Reynders, Jr.
Harry Reynders Jr. was a respected businessman and a generous family man. A soldier who served as a captain in the army during World War II, Mr. Reynders died on Jan. 10, 2007. He was 87.
"Everyone who knew my father loved him," said his son, Jeffrey C. Reynders. His friends called him Bill.
Jeffrey Reynders now takes his family to the same church that his father took him to, the First Lutheran Church in Albany. Born in Albany, to Harry W. and Edna Krueger Reynders, Mr. Reynders went to the same church since he was born, said his son. Serving as deacon and lay pastor, he invested himself in the church.
Dedication and hard work extended into his career, also, said his son. Mr. Reynders worked his way up to be president of the local men’s clothing store, McManus & Riley. He had graduated from Albany High School and The Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia. The day that McManus & Riley was sold to a larger company, another local business owner, Peter Kiernan, called to offer him a job, proof of his sterling reputation, said his son. Mr. Reynders took the job and acted as treasurer for Rose and Kiernan Insurance Co. of Albany for years.
Beyond the church, Mr. Reynders was involved in a number of community organizations – the Rotary Club, University Club, and the former Aurania Club among them.
Mr. Reynders traveled the world, but didn’t get his driver’s license until he was over 70 years old, said his son. He traveled to Alaska, Ireland, England, Switzerland, and further until his wife got sick about 15 years ago, his son remembered.
"He took care of her at home," he said, and that’s when he decided it was time to take the driver’s test. His wife, Marjorie, had done all the driving in their life together. When she couldn’t drive any more, Mr. Reynders learned how.
"He was generous," said Jeffrey Reynders of his father. "He sent checks to every charity in the world." More than anything, though, his son remembered, "He never treated anybody poorly."
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Harry W. Reynders is survived by his two sons, Richard M. Reynders and his wife, Cindy, and Jeffrey C. Reynders and his wife, Donna, both of Altamont. He is also survived by his grandchildren: Joy N. Phillips and her husband, Andy; Mark R. Reynders; Kristen L. Reynders; and Kathryn N. Reynders. He is also survived by a great-granddaughter, Alexis M. Phillips.
His wife of 54 years, Marjorie Roberson Reynders, died before him.
Funeral services were held on Jan. 15, 2007, at the First Lutheran Church in Albany, with burial in the Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands. Arrangements are by the Frederick Funeral Home in Albany.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Abiding Memorial Fund, First Lutheran Church, 646 State Street, Albany, NY 12203.
— Saranac Hale Spencer
Evelyn Schiller
EAST BERNE — Evelyn Schiller, a devoted mother who had worked for the local school district, died peacefully at the Daughters of Sarah nursing home on Jan.14, 2007.
She was 87.
Born in Knox, Ms. Schiller was the daughter of the late Zoa and Earl Alger.
Ms. Schiller was employed by the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School District as a cafeteria worker for many years.
Ms. Schiller enjoyed time at home, reading, and shopping, said her daughter, Nancy Michaels.
Mrs. Michaels also said her mother enjoyed her retirement and visiting her family.
In her younger years, Ms. Schiller enjoyed visiting the Sun Valley dude ranch with friends, said her son, Allan Schiller. There, he said, his mother went horseback riding.
Ms. Schiller also enjoyed collecting porcelain figurines, mainly frogs, and spending time with her family; they met for barbecues, and during holidays, said her son.
"She liked to watch ice-skating," Mr. Schiller said.
Prior to her death, Ms. Schiller was self-sufficient, and prepared meals for herself, he said.
"She was very happy-go-lucky," Mr. Schiller said. She loved being around people; she was very agreeable, and she wasn’t selfish, he said.
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Ms. Schiller is survived by her three children: Carlton Schiller, and his wife, Janice, of Myrtle Beach, S.C.; Nancy Michaels, and her husband, Doug, of East Berne; and Allan Schiller, and his wife, Deborah, of Watervliet.
Ms. Schiller is also survived by three grandchildren: Michelle Michaels of Richfield Springs, Lynn Salisbury of Sloansville, and Michael Schiller of Albany. She is also survived by great-grandchildren Matthew Michaels, Brian Hoop, and David Salisbury.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, Jan. 19, at 1 p.m. at the Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont. Friends may call today (Thursday) from 5 to 8 p.m. Burial will be in South Berne Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205.
— Tyler Schuling
Alice Elizabeth Stealey
Alice Elizabeth Stealey, a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, died Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007, at her home surrounded by her family and friends. She was 78.
Mrs. Stealey was "really a big-hearted person," her son, Robert, said. "She was private, but she was kind."
Mrs. Stealey was born in Windsor, N.Y. to the late Conrad and Eunice (Cole) Jones. She graduated from Watervliet High School in 1947. She worked for and retired from the State University of New York at Albany.
Her son said that his mother went to work late in life, after raising their seven children – six sons, and one daughter.
She married her husband, Charles Ray Stealey, on April 10, 1947.
Robert Stealey said that his father often told his children of his first date with their mother.
Mr. Stealey was from Pittsburgh, Robert Stealey said. He had come to Latham to go tobogganing with Mrs. Stealey, he said. Being from the city, Mr. Stealey "naturally" wore penny loafers and dress pants, his son said.
"He made one trip down the hill," Robert said. Mr. Stealey then decided to wait at an ice cream parlor across the street for Mrs. Stealey, who was dressed appropriately for the winter weather, he said.
The couple "stuck it out for 60 years and had seven kids," Robert Stealey said.
Mrs. Stealey loved crafts, and was a member of St. Francis de Sales Craft Club, the Red Hat Society, and the Altamont Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 762 Auxiliary.
In her younger years, Mrs. Stealey was part of a choral group and really enjoyed singing, her son said. She also had a camp in Nassau, and enjoyed spending time there.
Mrs. Stealey and her husband "were a team that took care of other people," said their son. "They were simple, plain, self-sufficient folks."
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Mrs. Stealey is survived by her husband, Charles; and her children: Chuck Stealey, and his wife, Betty; Robert Stealey, and his wife, Sandra; David Stealey, and his wife, Donna; Donnie Stealey, and his wife, Debbie; Patty Durand, and her husband, Bill; and Richard Stealey, and his wife, Susan. She is also survived by her 18 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Stealey is also survived by two devoted friends: Joan Nowak and Joyce Chiarito.
Her son, James Stealey, died before her.
Funeral services will be held today (Thursday) at 10 a.m. at the New Comer Cannon Family Funeral Home at 343 New Karner Rd. in Colonie. Calling hours were held on Wednesday at the funeral home. Burial will be in Memory’s Garden in Colonie.
The funeral home provides a website for comments at newcomerfamily.com.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211; or to Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205.
— Rachel Dutil
Alice L. Winne
GUILDERLAND CENTER — Alice (Kiki) Winne, described by her family as "a beautiful, caring, and wonderful mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother," died on Sunday, Jan. 14, 2007.
She was 82.
"She will be missed so much. She had a lot of spirit and love, and genuinely cared about everyone. She loved to laugh and be with people who loved to have fun, and would always help anyone in any way she could," her family said in a tribute. "As a mom, she was always there for us, no matter what. We will miss her smile and always positive disposition."
The tribute also says, "She gave us so much love and support, it will be very empty without her. Alice had many friends over the years, all of whom loved her."
Mrs. Winne is survived by her son, Raymond Winne, and his wife-to-be, Virginia; her daughter, Mary Leonard, and her husband, Richard; and several grandchildren — Cheryl Sowards-Maze, and her husband, Eric Maze; Amber Winne, and her husband, Tim; Ryan and Melissa Winne; and Heather Winne and Kelly Winne.
She is also survived by several great-grandchildren, Tyler and Breanna Sowards-Maze; Brandon and Mackenzie; and her sister-in-law, Jean Wade Jr.
Services are today (Thursday), at the Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont at 11 a.m. Mrs. Winne’s burial service will take place at Prospect Hill Cemetery, in Guilderland.