Obituary of Gretchen H. Ekiert

Cohoes – Gretchen H. Ekiert, 91, of Cohoes died at the Eddy Village Green, Cohoes on Saturday, February 2, 2013. A native and lifelong resident of Cohoes, she was born on June 26, 1921 to the late Otto and Gretchen Evans Schenk. She was a graduate of Cohoes High School and Albany Business College. She worked at the Cohoes Carry Bag Co. until she married Joseph Ekiert in 1946 and became a stay at home Mom to her four children. She loved to tell stories of her early life on the Schenk farm and collecting the eggs, butchering the chickens and riding her pony. She enjoyed camping in all parts of the Adirondacks, finally settling in at the family camp at Sacandaga. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, William Evans Schenk and her husband, Joseph W. Ekiert. She is survived by her four children; Susan Ekiert of Saratoga Springs, Jane (Robert) Ceccucci of Cohoes, Alan Ekiert of Bradenton, FL. and Dale Ekiert of Sacramento, CA., her grandchildren Heidi (Shawn) Voland and Heather (Michael)Travers, her great grandson Aidan Travers and several nieces and nephew. Funeral Thursday 11:30 AM at the DUFRESNE FUNERAL HOME, Inc., 216 Columbia Street, Cohoes with Mother Geraldine Clemons of St. John’s Episcopal Church officiating. Internment in Waterford Rural Cemetery, Waterford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home on Thursday morning from 10:00am to 11:30am. The family would like to thank the medical staff at Eddy Village Green for the wonderful care they provided. We especially want to thank all the people at House 22 for their care and special friendships during these last few months. Contributions may be made in Gretchen’s memory to Eddy Village Green, 22 Pasinella Way, House 22, Cohoes, N.Y. 12047 or to their local Salvation Army.