Obituaries Archives — The Altamont Enterprise, June 9, 2011
Magdalena Hedwig Britton
RENSSELAERVILLE — Magdalena Hedwig Britton, a civic-minded woman who will be remembered as a devoted wife and mother, died on Sunday, June 5, 2011, at her home. She was 87.
Mrs. Britton was born in Glasendorf, Germany, on April 24, 1924, the daughter of the late Bernhard T. and Anna (Klapper) Preisner.
She lived in the Bronx when she came to America from Germany.
Mrs. Britton was a postal clerk in the Rensselaerville Post Office for 40 years, until her retirement. She was very civic-minded, according to a tribute written by her family, and was a member of the Clark White American Legion Auxiliary Unit #589, the Women’s Auxiliary of the 27th Division Association, the Rensselaerville Historical Society, the Myositis Girls 4-H Club, and the Rensselaerville Volunteer Fire Company, in which she was very active.
She was also a member of the United Methodist Women-Greenville-Norton Hill, and a religious education instructor.
Mrs. Britton and her husband, Ralph, who died before her, owned and operated Britton’s Soda Fountain, in Rensselaerville, until 1971.
“She will be remembered as a devoted and loving wife, mother, and grandmother,” wrote her family.
She is survived by her children, Ralph Britton, Jr., and his wife, Patricia, of Ravena, Eileen Britton, of Coxsackie, and Diana Fritz, and her husband, Kenneth, of Rensselaerville; and seven grandchildren, Brian and Michael Britton, Kimberly Henlin, and her husband, David, John Kotuc, Stephanie Stepp, and Daniel Fritz.
Her husband, Ralph Britton Sr., died in 2005. Two brothers — Alfred and Gunther Preisner — also died before her.
A funeral service will be held on Friday, June 10, at 11 a.m., at the Greenville-Norton United Methodist Church, in Norton Hill. Friends may call at the Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 Route 81, Greenville, today, June 9, from 5 to 8 p.m. The Clark White Americna Legion Ladies Auxiliary will conduct services at the funeral home on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
Interment will be in the Westerlo Central Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Rensselaerville Volunteer Fire Company, 4990 Delaware Turnpike, Rensselaerville, NY 12147, or to the Greenville-Norton Hill United Methodist Church Memorial Fund, Post Office Box 599, 5830 Route 81, Greenville, NY 12083.
Mary Ann May
WESTERLO — Mary Ann May, a woman whose passions were farming and family, died on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at her daughter’s home in Queensbury, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 79.
Mrs. May was born on Nov. 2, 1931, in Brooklyn, to the late Hilda and Edmund Keppler. At age 7, she traveled to Germany for a summer visit to her family, when World War II began, making it impossible for her to return to the United States. She lived in Germany with family until she was 14.
She returned to the United States shortly after the war ended, and settled on her family’s farm in Westerlo. She married Herman May Jr. in May of 1951, and began her life as a dairy farmer.
Mrs. May was an active member of her community and her church. She was a long-time member of the Westerlo Reformed Church, serving as a deacon and an elder, as well as participating in countless church fund-raisers.
She was a member of the Albany County Farm Bureau, always advocating for enrichment of the farming profession. She was a Boy Scout den mother. She honored her German heritage by being an active member of the Steuben Society. She was also an active member of the Westerlo Republican Party, and served on the board of elections.
Mrs. May transported many children to school as a driver for the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School District, a job she held for almost 44 years.
“Mary Ann loved all children and welcomed many to her home; some still refer to her as ‘Ma,’” wrote her family
in a tribute.
Mrs. May is survived by her children Christine Lendrum, and her husband, Ken, of Queensbury, Konrad May, and his wife, Susan, of Westerlo, and Barbara McDermott, and her husband, Tom, of Queensbury; her grandchildren, David Lendrum, and his wife, Kelly, of Westerlo, Jared Lendrum, and his wife, Jessica, of Queensbury, Eric Lendrum, and his wife, Stephanie, of Bethesda, Md., Krista May, of Groton, Conn., and Kelly May, of Westerlo; and two great-grandchildren, Elise and Patrick Lendrum, of Westerlo.
Her husband of 45 years, Herman May, died before her.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, June 11, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Westerlo Reformed Church, on Route 143, with a memorial service to follow.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Westerlo Reformed Church, 566 Route 143, Westerlo, NY 12193; the Westerlo Volunteer Fire Department, Post Office Box 87, Route 143, Westerlo, NY 12193; or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Post Office Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101.
The family would like to thank the staff of the C. R. Wood Cancer Center at Glens Falls Hospital for their exceptional care and compassion. The family also expresses many thanks to the Warren County Hospice for their compassionate care during this difficult time.
Mary Ann May
WESTERLO — Mary Ann May, a woman whose passions were farming and family, died on Tuesday, June 7, 2011, at her daughter’s home in Queensbury, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. She was 79.
Mrs. May was born on Nov. 2, 1931, in Brooklyn, to the late Hilda and Edmund Keppler. At age 7, she traveled to Germany for a summer visit to her family, when World War II began, making it impossible for her to return to the United States. She lived in Germany with family until she was 14.
She returned to the United States shortly after the war ended, and settled on her family’s farm in Westerlo. She married Herman May Jr. in May of 1951, and began her life as a dairy farmer.
Mrs. May was an active member of her community and her church. She was a long-time member of the Westerlo Reformed Church, serving as a deacon and an elder, as well as participating in countless church fund-raisers.
She was a member of the Albany County Farm Bureau, always advocating for enrichment of the farming profession. She was a Boy Scout den mother. She honored her German heritage by being an active member of the Steuben Society. She was also an active member of the Westerlo Republican Party, and served on the board of elections.
Mrs. May transported many children to school as a driver for the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School District, a job she held for almost 44 years.
“Mary Ann loved all children and welcomed many to her home; some still refer to her as ‘Ma,’” wrote her
family in a tribute.
Mrs. May is survived by her children Christine Lendrum, and her husband, Ken, of Queensbury, Konrad May, and his wife, Susan, of Westerlo, and Barbara McDermott, and her husband, Tom, of Queensbury; her grandchildren, David Lendrum, and his wife, Kelly, of Westerlo, Jared Lendrum, and his wife, Jessica, of Queensbury, Eric Lendrum, and his wife, Stephanie, of Bethesda, Md., Krista May, of Groton, Conn., and Kelly May, of Westerlo; and two great-grandchildren, Elise and Patrick Lendrum, of Westerlo.
Her husband of 45 years, Herman May, died before her.
Calling hours will be held on Saturday, June 11, from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Westerlo Reformed Church, on Route 143, with a memorial service to follow.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Westerlo Reformed Church, 566 Route 143, Westerlo, NY 12193; the Westerlo Volunteer Fire Department, Post Office Box 87, Route 143, Westerlo, NY 12193; or St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital, Post Office Box 50, Memphis, TN 38101.
The family would like to thank the staff of the C. R. Wood Cancer Center at Glens Falls Hospital for their exceptional care and compassion. The family also expresses many thanks to the Warren County Hospice for their compassionate care during this difficult time.
Bennie Lee
WESTERLO — Bennie Lee was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great-grandfather, whose wife remembers him as “bubbly.”
“He got along with everybody,” said Mr. Lee’s wife, Shirley Lee. They met at a dance about 30 years ago, and they celebrated their 26th anniversary this past Valentine’s Day.
“He was always teasing everybody,” she said with a laugh. “When he went in to the store to get a scratch-off, he’d say, ‘I want a winner.’”
Mr. Lee always loved playing scratch-off Lottery tickets.
“He won once, $7,500,” his wife went on. “That was a long time ago.”
Mr. Lee died on June 2, 2011, at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany. He was 76.
Born in Rensselaerville on March 29, 1935, the son of the late Oscar and Mae (Ingraham) Lee, Mr. Lee was a truck driver for Molloy Trucking, and later Callanan Industries, until he retired in 1997.
“He was always working on something in the garage,” said Mrs. Lee. “He was mechanically inclined. He’s probably got about 12 lawn mowers that he was fixing for himself.”
Mr. Lee enjoyed socializing at local coffee shops, and he had a close bond with his dog, a white poodle named Casper, after the friendly ghost.
“He’s proud of his dog,” his wife said. “He was his companion for 14 years.”
She said of Casper, “He misses him terrible. He looks for him all the time.”
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Mr. Lee is survived by his wife of 26 years, Shirley (Snyder) Lee.
He is also survived by his children: Bonnie Schmidt and her husband, Dennis; Bruce Lee and his wife, Fely; Denise Stoliker and her husband, Michael; Brian Lee and his wife, Patty; as well as three brothers: John Lee and his wife, Vivian; Ken Lee and his wife, Charlene; and Arlington Lee and his wife, Dorothy; and two sisters: Mary Wilsey and Rita Van Kuren.
He is survived, too, by several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, his former wife, Donna (Slingerland) Lee, mother of his children, and his many friends who will miss him.
His parents died before him, as did his brother, Dan; his three sisters: Esther, Frances, and Gladys; and a stepson, Rick Baldwin.
A moment of prayer will be held on Saturday, June 11, at 1 p.m. at a private cemetery on Route 85, located on the property of his son, Brian Lee. All are welcome to attend.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Westerlo Rescue Squad.
Arrangements are by the A.J. Cunningham Funeral Home in Greenville. Mourners may light a candle at ajcunninghamfh.com.
— Zach Simeone
Raymond Frisbee
VOORHEESVILLE — Raymond “Ray” Frisbee, a statistician and outdoorsman, died on Sunday, June 5, 2011, after a short illness at St Peter’s Hospice Inn. He was 75.
Born on Dec. 31, 1935 in Voorheesville, he was the son of the late Leland and Clara Frisbee. He was a graduate of Bethlehem Central High School.
He worked as a statistician, for the New York State Department of Health for over 35 years. He was an avid hunter
and fisherman.
“He lived a very active lifestyle, being involved with family and friends,” his family wrote in a tribute.
He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years Phyllis Frisbee; a beloved son, Bill Frisbee; a cherished grandson, Tyler Frisbee; two brothers, Leland Frisbee and his wife, Edith, and Charlie Frisbee and his wife, Rosemary; two sisters, Annie Aurilio and Clara Burns as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Wednesday June 8, at St. Matthew’s Roman Catholic Church in Voorheesville followed by an interment in Our Lady Help of Christians Cemetery in Glenmont.
Arrangements are by the Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont.
Memorial donations may be made to the St. Peter’s Hospice Inn, 315 South Manning Blvd, Albany, NY 12008.
Helen A. (Kleinke) Springer
VOORHEESVILLE — Helen A. Springer, a wife and mother, died on Friday, June 3, 2011 at the Good Samaritan Lutheran Health Care Center. She was 87.
Born in Glenmont, she was the daughter of the late Edward F. and Ida Caroline (Burchard) Kleinke, Sr.
Mrs. Springer was a graduate of Bethlehem High School. She worked as a teachers’ aid for the Bethlehem Central School District and later at St. Matthew Lutheran School in Albany.
She was a member of St. Matthew Lutheran Church and the Home Bureau and she was a 4-H Club leader for many years.
Mrs. Springer is survived by her children: Cheryl Appleby and her husband, David, of Voorheesville; William Springer Jr. and his wife, Valerie, of Milford, Del.; Karen Springer of Albany; Kenneth Springer and his wife, June, of Berne; and John Springer and his wife, Theresa, of Voorheesville. She is also survived by her son-in-law, Keith Leonard of Clarksville, her sister-in-law, Jean Kleinke, of Slingerlands, and her siblings: Ethel Whiteman and her husband, Ron; Peter Kleinke and his wife, Linda; Paul Kleinke and his wife, Ann, all of Glenmont.
She is also survived by 13 grandchildren, 16 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.
Her husband, William A. Springer, died before her, as did her daughter, Linda Leonard; her siblings, Edward F. Kleinke Jr. and Dorothy Krouse; and her grandchildren, Jaime Leonard, Kenneth E. Springer Jr., and John Benjamin Springer.
Funeral services were held on June 6 at the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home on Delaware Avenue in Albany. Interment followed the service in the St. Matthew Lutheran Cemetery in Glenmont.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Good Samaritan Lutheran Chapel, 125 Rockefeller Rd., Delmar, NY 12054 or to CCE of Albany County 4H, 24 Martin Rd., Voorheesville, NY 12186.
Condolences may be left online at www.danielkeenanfuneralhome.com.