Obituary of Gretchen Slate

Gretchen V. Slate ScotiaOur loving wife and mother, Gretchen V. Slate, 78, of Scotia, passed away at Ellis Residential and Rehab Center on September 23, 2013 with her family at her side. Born in Hornell, NY on January 15, 1935, she was the daughter of Thomas W. and Martha E. (Edmond) VanDerhoof. Gretchen was a graduate of Buffalo State University with a degree in art education and later pursued her graduate studies at Union College and Siena College. On August 12, 1961, Gretchen married Donald M. Slate in Schenectady, NY. The two have shared a loving and devoted union of 52 years prior to her passing. Gretchen worked for over 35 years as respected art teacher at Shenedahowa Central Schools. Most of those years working in Gowana Middle School. She was very passionate about art and found great joy and inspiration in her students. Gretchen's greatest joy was just being with her family and her beloved dogs. She loved to spend time with family and friends at their Lake George cottage. Gretchen loved to travel, as a young adult and again later in life she fulfilled her dream of traveling aboard to several European countries. One of Gretchen's more special travels was the family's annual Maine vacation enjoying walks on the beaches and collecting shells. Gretchen had a very strong faith in God and was a member of the East Glenville Community Church. She was predeceased by her elder brother, Thomas E. VanDerhoof of Utica. Survivors include her beloved husband, Donald; cherished daughter, Anna E. Gargiulo and loved son-in-law, Rick and her precious granddaughter, Grace Luciana Gargiulo of Ballston Spa; a sister-in-law, Angela VanDerhoof of Utica; younger brother, Jon VanDerhoof and wife, Jackie of Dansville; several nieces and newphews also survive, Major Thomas Scott VanDerhoof and his wife, Jann, Rebecca A. VanDerhoof, Heidi VanDerhoof Coluzzo, Liffin and Eric VanDerhoof. Gretchen will be remembered as a gracious, sweet, kind soul and loving wife, mother, grandmother and friend. May she rest in peace. Thank you to the staff and residents at The Home of the Good Shepherd at Highpointe in Malta. Another special thank you to all the staff at Ellis Medicine and Ellis Residential and Rehab Center for all your wonderful care and giving hearts. Funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Friday, September 27 from the Glenville Funeral Home, 9 Glenridge Rd, East Glenville. Relatives and friends may also call at the funeral home on Thursday, September 26 from 6 to 8 p.m. Interment will be at 12 noon on Monday, September 30 at the Gerald B. H. Solomon National Cemtery, 200 Duell Rd. Schuylerville, NY. A procession to the cemetery will leave the funeral home parking lot at 11 a.m. Monday. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Gretchen's name may be made to the Alzheimer's Association , Northeastern New York, 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405, Albany, NY 12205. Online condolences may be made at glenvillefuneralhome.com.