Obituary of Marjorie R. Carney

GLENVILLE – Marjorie R. Carney died on Wednesday, July 18, 2018, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. She was 95 and lived a full life, strong-willed and feisty until the end. Born on February 5, 1923, in Ticonderoga, N.Y., she was predeceased by her parents, Dean and Janet (Grimes) Richmond; her sister, Elizabeth Louise (Richmond) Bellinger; her son, William Dean Carney, who died in 1952; and her husband, Thomas W. Carney, who died in 1993. After graduating from Ticonderoga High School, Marjorie moved to Schenectady, where she worked as a dental assistant. She met her future husband while having lunch at a drug store at the corner of Union and Clinton streets. As petite as Tom was tall, Marjorie agreed to a first date. The couple courted and were married on August 21, 1948, at Lake Luzerne, one of her favorite places. Marjorie and Tom lived in Schenectady after their wedding and eventually settled in Glenville, where they raised their children. Like many women of her generation, Marjorie's life centered around home and hearth. She enjoyed cooking and baking, with a mean apple pie, delicate maple cake and a meticulously decorated Christmas buche de Noel among her specialities. She also loved her gardens and happily spent hours tending to her flowers and vanquishing the weeds that encroached upon their beauty. Born with a curious mind, Marjorie was a voracious reader of novels and poetry, magazines and newspapers. She loved history, followed current events and politics – she was thrilled to vote for the person she believed would be the first woman president of the United States – and frequently clipped articles about books, restaurants, recipes and other items that interested her. She also took classes in topics ranging from opera to religion through the Union College Academy of Lifelong Learning (UCALL) and loved to travel. As a member of the Happy Wanderers, Marjorie visited the Canadian Maritime Provinces, Bermuda, Ireland and France, among other places, many of them after she turned 80. She wrote letters and notes and kept those that were sent to her, leaving behind mementos of a life well lived. Marjorie's family and loved ones will miss her tenacity, spirit, good company and love, and thank the staff of Glendale Home for their compassionate and loving care during the last year of her life. Marjorie is survived by her son, Robert M. (Janine Kava) Carney; two daughters, Kathleen (Jim Frederick); and Jean T. Carney; six grandchildren, Caitlin Carney; Brian (Leticia Daconti) Frederick; Patrick Carney; Christopher Frederick; Elizabeth Carney; and Jack Carney; two nephews, Lawrence (Judy) Bellinger and William (Ursula) Stemm; and many loved ones and friends. At Marjorie's request, there will be no calling hours and she will be remembered at a private memorial service. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in her memory to Union College to benefit the Union College Academy of Lifelong Learning (UCALL), 807 Union St., Schenectady, N.Y. 12308; Umbrella of the Capital District (www.theumbrella.org); or Schenectady Civic Players, P.O. Box 927, Schenectady, N.Y. 12301.