ELLEN MARIE “RHEA” REED
PITTSTOWN - Ellen Marie “Rhea” Reed, 85 of Pittstown, died on Saturday, May 26th, 2018 at her residence after a long illness. She was surrounded by her loving family. Born in Syracuse on December 27, 1932, she was the daughter of the late Ellen Tunny Verch and Raymond Verch Sr., both formerly of Albany. She was educated in Albany Public School No. 9, St. Patrick’s Elementary School and Vincentian Institute, graduating in 1950. She began employment at Dunn and Bradstreet in Albany as a typist and dictaphone operator. In later years she was also employed as a data entry specialist by Garden Way of Troy and also worked as an agent for Bryce Real Estate. In November of 1953, Marie met her husband, Philip Reed while attending a square dance at Dave Denny’s Barn in Latham. They married on November 28, 1954. Philip was a dairy farmer who brought her home to the family farm in Pittstown where they enjoyed 62 years of life together until Philip’s death on August 22, 2017. Marie was a self-sacrificing wife and mother who dedicated her life to providing a home filled with nurturing love and care for her husband and three sons. After her father’s death, she also took in and cared for her widowed mother, Ellen Verch for over five years. Marie was a former member of the Nortonville Cemetery Association serving as secretary for many years. In addition to her husband and parents, Marie was predeceased by five brothers, Raymond Jr., Harold, Charlie, Dick and Randal; one sister, Rita; an infant son, David; her daughter-in-law, Carol; her infant granddaughter, Sarah and her lifelong friend of over 70 years, Leona Tario of Albany. Marie is survived by her three sons, Lance and Dwayne (Lory) both of Pittstown, and Randy Reed of Troy; four grandsons, Philip (Temple) of Hudson Falls, Jeff (Alesis) of Essex Junction, VT and William and Lemuel both of Pittstown and one great granddaughter, Renee. Calling hours will be held on Friday, June 1, from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 181 Troy Schenectady Road, Watervliet. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, June 2, at 11:30 a.m. at The Grotto, 475 Yates Street, Albany, NY 12208 (corner of Yates and Ontario Streets). Additional parking at St. Vincent De Paul’s Church parking lot at 900 Madison Ave., Albany (half a block from The Grotto). Interment will follow at the Nortonville Cemetery in Pittstown. To leave a special message for the family online, visit NewComerAlbany.com