Mary Anne Eldred

RICHFIELD SPRINGS – Mary Anne Eldred, age 81, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, July 25, 2022 at Valley Health Residential, East Herkimer.

She was born on March 31, 1941 in Hardyston Township, Franklin, New Jersey.  While living in NJ she attended a two room school in Monroe, NJ until she was seven years old.  The family then moved to Richfield Springs.  She graduated from Richfield Springs Central School with the class of 1959.  On October 11, 1969 she was united in marriage to Albert E. Eldred by the Reverend Leonard Owens, Pastor of the Methodist Church Richfield Spring.  They shared a devoted marriage of forty-three years until his passing on April 12, 2013.   After graduation Mary went to work for Shurkatch Tackle Co, in Richfield Springs.  She then worked at MDS retiring in 1974.  After her retirement she did housekeeping and Catering.   For many years she had worked for Mr. John McKelvey as housekeeper and caregiver when needed.

She was a member of the Millers Mills Baptist Church and a Member of Arbutus Chapter O.E.S. for over 60 years.  In her leisure time she enjoyed her gardening, canning and cooking.  She was well known for her pies.   It is said that Mary was strong willed, hardworking, with a hidden kindness that would do anything for a friend. She was devoted to her family and happiest when she could help others.  She will be sadly missed by her friends and especially her family.

She is survived by a daughter, Trudi Young Snyder and her husband Caffrey of Richfield Springs, a son, Jeff Eldred and his finance', Lynette Oare of St. Johnsville, 5 grandchildren, Christopher Young and Molly of Little Falls, Joshua Young and Morgan of Brewer ME, Caleb Eldred, Brienne  Eldred and McKayla Hayner,  one great-grandson Benjamin Albert Young, two brothers, William and George Dowd and his wife Dawn,  all of Ilion, a sister Deborah Ryan and her husband Louis of DeWitt, MI, several, nieces, nephews and cousins.  Besides her parents and husband Albert she was preceded in death by three brothers, Robert, Richard and John Dowd.

Calling hours for Mrs. Eldred will be on Sunday from 2:00 to 4:00 pm in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street.  Funeral Service in the funeral home will be on Monday August 1 ^st , at 11:00am with Pastor Jessica Merrill, officiating.  Interment will take place on Friday, August 5 ^th in Millers Mills cemetery, Millers Mills.  A Celebration and Remembrance of Mary's life will follow immediately after the interment at the Millers Mills Baptist Church.

Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to St. Judes Children Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or Shriners Children Boston, 51 Blossom St., Boston, MA 02114.  Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.