Obituary of Marie Hastings

Warrensburg: Marie Hastings, 88, of Ridge Avenue, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at her home following a brief illness. Born April 29, 1923 in Warrensburgh, she was the daughter of the late Vernis and Hazel (Cilley) Perry. Their homestead on Horicon Avenue where she grew up, was across the street from Robert “Bobby” (Toby) Hastings, and across Swan Street from her childhood friend Marion Rounds. Her cousin Elsie Winslow Hill was like a sister to Marie growing up, and one of her dearest friends. Marie and Robert “Toby” Hastings were married on November 15, 1946 in Lake George, following his WWII service discharge from the United States Army. They enjoyed 63 wonderful years together until his passing in 2009. Marie had resided at her Ridge Avenue home for 60 years. Marie worked at the Warrensburgh Shirt Factory for many years and then devoted her life to raising her family at their home on Ridge Avenue. She was close friends with several of her Ridge Avenue neighbors, often caring for their children as her adopted own whenever they were in need. Marie was always, in her words, taking life “one day at a time”. Marie enjoyed being with her family and friends who visited, and took great pleasure in those social gatherings as well as maintaining her correspondences. She stayed in touch with her buddy, Marion despite the continental distance between them, and also cousin Norma Kelley through the years. Marie in later life was a musical fan of the singer Daniel O’Donnell, attending his concerts and collecting his albums & books, and sharing her love for Daniel to all of those around her. She was a life member of the Warrensburg First United Methodist Church (FUMC), and in recent years appreciated the in-home ministerial visits, youth group singing, and prayer support from her church. Marie loved to travel even if it was just to go “uptown” to get groceries, go out shopping with Mary & Amelia, or having dinner together at Luck E Star. In August 2010 she traveled on a week-long vacation of a lifetime to visit her son Philip and his family in Fort Wayne IN, spending several days in their loving company. In addition to her parents, Marie was predeceased by her husband Robert “Toby” Hastings on December 23, 2009; a sister Geneva M. Webster on July 27, 2009; a special cousin Elsie W. Hill on August 18, 2006; old friends and close neighbors Joyce C. Smyth and E. Maude Reynolds. Marie leaves behind her beloved sons, Philip Hastings and his wife, Harriet of Fort Wayne, IN, and Kevin Hastings and his wife, Mary of South Glens Falls; and one granddaughter, Amelia. Other survivors include a niece, Laurie Ramsey-Gallup; a nephew Mark Webster; several local cousins in the Perry and Cilley family trees including Nellis and Bill Tremblay, Edna Blaner, Norma Kelley, and Barb Vogt; penpal Marion VanBuren in Simi Valley CA; other close friends and relatives Margaret French, Norma Galusha and family, Michael Hill and family, Catherine Reynolds Richardson, Coleen Shane and family; her Ridge Avenue friends including the Smyth children and their grown families, Dot Wood, Sue Wood, and Eric Burdett and family. Marie’s family extends a heartfelt “thank you” to primary care Dr. Bryan Smead and oncology Dr. Darci Gaiotti-Grubbs for their years of professional care; nurse Chicki; old friend & nurse Patti Haux; primary in-home caregivers (Helen, Fay, Chrystal, Ruth) for the dedication in providing Marie with their compassionate support in her daily life activities; FUMC volunteers Marjorie Peters, Carol Galusha, Jaimee Ross, “Pastor Steve” and many others in the church who nourished Marie’s soul with the love of God; nurse Lisa Lafountain and staff at Tri-County Nursing and Rehabilitation; GF Hospital Tower 2 oncology nurses; Southern Adirondack Independent Living Center (SAIL); aides and staff of the Greater Adirondack Home Aides; Warren County Sheriff’s department; and the Warrensburg EMS. Friends may call on Marie’s family from 6-8 pm Thursday evening July 21, 2011 at the Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main Street, Warrensburg, NY. A service to celebrate her life will follow the visitation at 8 pm at the funeral home to be followed by Rev. Steve Andrews officiating. A graveside burial service with internment will be 2 pm Friday at the Warrensburg Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in Marie’s name to the Warrensburg First United Methodist Church, 3890 Main St., Warrensburg, NY 12885 or to a charity of one’s choice. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book, condolences, and directions.