Obituary of Hedwig Fried

Hedwig (Hedy) Fried, 98, of Clifton Park, NY, passed away on April 16^th. Born Hedwig Reisz in Vienna, Austria, Hedy emigrated to Luton, England with her family in 1939 to escape Nazi persecution. There, as air raid sirens and bombings were commonplace reminders of the war, Hedy found enjoyment and normality playing the guitar and piano, and singing in the Luton Girls’ Choir. Erwin Fried, a childhood friend from Vienna, visited while on leave from the U.S. Army, and their friendship grew into a romance. He brought Hedy to the States and they married in 1947.

Hedy worked as a bookkeeper in New York City until she and Erwin moved to Schenectady, NY, where their two daughters were born. While raising their daughters in Schenectady, then King of Prussia, PA and Clifton Park, NY, Hedy volunteered in the girls’ schools, Girl Scouts, libraries, and various charitable organizations. Hedy’s mother and a beagle completed the household. Hedy made sure their home was always full of love, laughter, music, and lively conversation. In 1986, the couple became snowbirds, splitting their time between Clifton Park and their condo in Florida, and taking many cruises and trips.

Even as she grew older, Hedy maintained her love of music. She learned to play the mountain dulcimer, attended workshops, joined dulcimer groups in both NY and FL, and played in concerts. In 2010, Erwin and Hedy moved to Coburg Village Retirement Community in Rexford, NY, where they were both actively involved. Hedy loved to travel, knit and crocheted beautifully, was a very good bridge player, and spent much time reading and playing the piano. She was warm, vivacious, and had a great sense of humor. After Erwin’s death in 2021, Hedy moved to Peregrine Senior Living in Clifton Park, then briefly to Eddy Memorial in Troy.

Hedy was predeceased by Erwin, her loving husband of 74 years. She is survived by her devoted daughters Linda Russell (Jeffrey) and Susan Morin (Stephen), grandchildren Christine Morin Graham, Craig Morin (Brooke), Matthew Morin (Kelli), Benjamin Russell (Rebecca), and Valerie Russell, and great-grandchildren William Graham, Lauren Graham, Zachary Morin, Adalyn Morin, Jordan Morin, Elliot Russell, Evan Morin, Lilah Russell, and Dylan Morin. She is also survived by her cousin Stella Luftig, who was like a sister to her.  Hedy is already greatly missed.