Gertrude 'Shelhamer' Parker Obituary (1916

Gertrude Parker, age 94, formerly of 60 Church Street, Saranac Lake, NY died Saturday, July 10, 2010 at Adirondack Medical Center. Born in Saranac Lake, New York on May 11, 1916, she was the daughter of Cyrus and A. Anna (Miner) Shelhamer. She married Alfred Parker who predeceased her on October 26, 1987. She was born and raised in Saranac Lake and in her younger years enjoyed cross country skiing, ice skating and reading. Gert was an avid pinochle player and enjoyed playing cards and bingo with friends at the DeChantel apartments where she lived for the past 20 years and also at Keene Valley Neighborhood House where she has resided since 2007. She was a communicant of St. Bernard's Church and was a member of the prayer group and a volunteer at Saranac Lake General Hospital for a number of years. She and her husband moved to Massachusetts in 1936 and raised their family in Pittsfield where she was employed at W.T. Grant stores for 17 years until her retirement when they moved back to Saranac Lake in 1970. Gertrude will be missed by her family and we all wish her well in her new adventures with the Lord. She is survived by her 2 sons, John (Jack) of Stafford, Va. and Alfred ( Fred) and Jean Parker of Bloomingdale, 2 daughters Carol Moulton of Gilmanton, NH and Martha Morris of Chatham, NY, 15 grandchildren, 31 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren. She also is survived by many nephews and nieces including Sheila Stevenson of Saranac Lake. Gertrude was predeceased by her husband Alfred, her parents Anna and Cyrus Shelhamer, two brothers, Frank and Cyrus Jr., 2 sisters Ida Longtemps and Alice Blake. Also a granddaughter Leslie Maroney and a great granddaughter Jacquline Maroney and a nephew Richard (Dick) Shelhamer. Calling hours will take place at the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home on Saturday, July 24, 2010 from 9:30 AM - 11:30 AM. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow on Saturday July 24, 2010 at 12:00 P.M. at St. Bernard's Church, with Rev. Paul Kelly officiating. Burial will follow at North Elba Cemetery in Lake Placid. Friends wishing to remember Gertrude Parker may make memorial contributions to the American Cancer Society care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.