Obituary of Ellen M. O'Day

Glens Falls: Ellen M. O’Day, 85, passed away at The Pines Nursing Home on Thursday, July 23, 2009 after a long journey with Alzheimer’s Disease. Ellen was born on May 31, 1924 to the late Thomas and Ruth Marleau in Big Moose. She graduated from Old Forge High School and went on to work in Syracuse during World War II. After he honorably served in World War II as a Staff Sargeant , she married Edward S. O’Day in 1946 and they moved to Utica where they raised six children. They were married for 52 years before his death in 1998. In 1969 they moved to Saquoit then Oriskany Falls. Ellen worked for several years as an aide in a nursing home and as a teacher’s aide in an elementary school. In 1980 Ellen and Edward retired and spent the next years in Daytona Beach, Fla. in the winter and Warrensburg in the summer. She was a member of the Basilica and St. Theresa’s Circle of St. Paul’s Church in Daytona Beach, FL. Ellen was devoted to her children and her large extended family. She was famous for making every guest’s favorite pie at family gatherings, often a dozen or more. Her kindness and good humor made her beloved by everyone who knew her. She selflessly and lovingly cared for her own parents as they aged. Her grandchildren were never out of her thoughts. She is remembered for her wonderful care packages full of small treats, books and toys to delight them when she was away. Besides her parents, Ellen was predeceased by her husband; her beloved sister, Ruth Ann Gamache; and three brothers: Thomas, Raymond and William Marleau. Survivors include her brother, John Marleau and his wife, Nancy of Utica; her six children: daughters, Kathleen O’Day; Cairenn Spooner and her husband, Paul of Warrensburg; Susan O’Day Cole of Hudson Falls; Mary Ellen Knudson and her husband, Ted of Daytona Beach, FL; and two sons: Patrick O’Day of Munsville; and Shaun O’Day and his wife, Diane of Theresa; grandchildren: John Cole, Jason Cole, Jesse O’Day, Katie Matina, Laurel Babcock, Becky Clarke, Ryan and Sean Young and Callie, Shannon and Jacob O’Day; two great-grandchildren, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. Friends may call on Ellen’s family from 6 to 9 pm, Monday, July 27 at the Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main Street, Warrensburg. A mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 am, Tuesday at Saint Cecilia’s Roman Catholic Church, Main Street Warrensburg, with Father Paul Cox, officiating. Burial will be conducted in the Warrensburg Cemetery at the convenience of the family. The family wishes to give their sincere gratitude to the Pines Nursing Home, especially the third floor staff for lovingly caring for Ellen for the last seven years. In lieu of flowers, donations in Ellen’s memory may be made to the Hudson Headwaters Health Network, 9 Carey Road, Queensbury, NY 12804 or to the Pines at Glens Falls, 170 Warren St., Glens Falls, NY 12801. Please visit www.alexanderfuneralhomes.com for online guest book, condolences, and directions.