Obituary of Beatrice J. VanGuilder

Chestertown: Beatrice J. “Beattie” VanGuilder, 90, formerly of VanGuilder Road, passed away peacefully, Tuesday, May 23, 2017, at Glens Falls Hospital, following a brief illness. Born May 29, 1926 in Lake George, she was the daughter of the late Byron Jesse and Jennie May (Mosher) Straight. Beattie married Gerald R. VanGuilder on December 1, 1945. The couple resided all their 53 years together and raised their family on VanGuilder Road in Chestertown. Beattie enjoyed making memories with her family, and shared her love of cooking with her daughter and grandchildren; her specialties were rolls and pies, but the best were her Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Bars. She found great joy in knitting and crocheting for family and enjoyed word searches, playing Rummy, trips to the ocean in Maine, and serving at the Grace United Methodist Church. For many years, she and her husband delivered for Meals on Wheels and substituted for their son, Philip on his Star Route mail contract. In addition to her parents and husband, Beatrice is predeceased by her sisters, Dorothy Savage and DeEtta VanGuilder, brothers, Robert and James Straight, and a granddaughter, Sherene Clark. She is survived by her children, Roger (Brenda) VanGuilder of Chestertown, Philip (Sylvia) VanGuilder of Warrensburg, Joan (Arnold) Stevens of Wevertown, Gerald (Kathy) VanGuilder, Sr., of Naples, FL; grandchildren, Heidi (Tony) Bushey of Champlain, Kimberly (Scott) Townsend of Wevertown, Gerald (Sarah) VanGuilder, Jr., of Naples, FL, Jenna (Brett) Sheldon of Naples, FL, and Mark Clark of MN; brother, Charles (Mildred) Straight, of Lake George. She also leaves behind several nieces and nephews. Friends may call on Beattie’s family from 10 to 11 am, Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at Alexander Funeral Home, 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. A funeral service to celebrate her life will immediately follow the visitation at 11 am, at the funeral home with her son-in-law, Pastor Arnold Stevens, and her granddaughter, Pastor Kimberly Townsend, officiating. Burial will follow in Chester Rural Cemetery. Beattie’s family wishes to thank the staff at Adirondack Tri-County Nursing & Rehabilitation Center and Glens Falls Hospital for the care provided throughout her final chapter. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations in Beatrice’s memory to the R-W-J (Riparius/Wevertown/Johnsburg) United Methodist Church, PO Box 98, Johnsburg, NY 12843. Please visit www.alexanderfh.net for online guest book and condolences.