Obituary of Ellen H. Kessler

Ellen Kessler, 95, of Melissa Court in Colonie died Monday, August 11, 2014 at Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs, Iowa after becoming ill while on vacation. She was born on March 8, 1919 and was the daughter of the late Harry “Pa” and Alice (Bonesteel) Hogle. She was also predeceased by her first husband of 23 years, William D. Shippey, her second husband of 20 years, Samuel Kessler, her son Gary Shippey, sons-in-law David Bonesteel, and Charles Huiest, a brother, Harry “Red” Hogle, and two sisters, Lillian Aiken and Gertrude Burgess. She graduated from Albany Business College and went to work for New York State Department of Labor; Division of Employment as a typist and later as a supervisor. She was a long-time member of Amity Reformed Church in Vischer Ferry where she was organist and choir director for a time. She taught Sunday School, and worked on many church dinners, and was also a Den Leader for the Boy Scouts. She enjoyed canning and freezing homegrown fruits and vegetables as well as making homemade jams, jellies, pickles, breads, and special fruitcakes; but her specialty was the great baked beans she made for many church functions which earned her the nickname of “The Bean Lady.” Previously Ellen was a member of the First Reformed Church of Wynantskill, NY. She was also an avid crossword puzzle solver, loved to play Scrabble, and also kept up with current events and knew what was going on around her. She loved having her family around her. Ellen was returning home from a road trip to the west coast where she had attended the wedding of one of her great grandsons. This trip allowed her the opportunity to see Mt. Rushmore, which she had never seen before, and she also met up with friends and family along the way, and was able to see some of her great grandchildren and even her great, great grandchildren for the first time. Ellen is survived by her children: Laurie (Shippey) Bonesteel, Beth (Shippey, Huiest, husband Elton) Cook, Robert (Sheila) Shippey, Daniel (Janet) Shippey, Theodore Shippey (Elsie Erno), and Thomas (Catherine) Shippey, 23 grandchildren, several great grandchildren, and a few great, great grandchildren. She is also survived by daughters-in-law Rita (Anna) Shippey, Ellen (Betts) Shippey, Virginia (Diehl) Shippey, her first cousin, Cora Jean Hoffay, and several nieces and nephews. Ellen’s family would like to send out special thanks to the doctors, nurses, chaplain and staff at Mercy Hospital for their great care and compassion while she was a patient there. Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 3 to 7 p.m. at the Catricala Funeral Home Inc., 1597 Route 9, Clifton Park, with a funeral service Monday at 11 a.m. at Amity Reformed Church, 335 Riverview Road, Vischer Ferry (Rexford) with the Reverend John Hoeprich officiating. Burial will be in Elmwood Hill Cemetery in Troy. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Ellen H. Kessler to: City Mission of Schenectady, PO Box 760, Schenectady, NY 12301; Saratoga County Animal Shelter, 6010 County Farm Rd, Ballston Spa, NY 12020; or to a charity of your choice.