Obituary of Mary C. Van Alstine

Mrs. Mary C. Van Alstine, 90, formerly of Smith Street, Canajoharie, New York died Thursday, May 19, 2016 at The Mountain Valley Hospice House in Gloversville with her family by her side. Born on October 17, 1925 in Canajoharie, NY, she was the daughter of John Russ Conrad and Marjorie Rich Newbegin. She was a graduate of Canajoharie High School, Class of 1942, graduating at 16 years of age. She was a lifetime area resident. Mrs. Van Alstine was the owner and operator of Billington Hardware & Ames Building Supply in Canajoharie, NY. She had also worked for Western Union in several locations, training new employees, as well as working for Beech-Nut in Canajoharie making K Rations during the war. She was the Village Clerk of Ames for several years. Mrs. Van Alstine was a member of the former St. John's Lutheran Church in Canajoharie, where she was baptized, married and enjoyed singing in the choir. She was a former member of the Tekahawara Indian Eastern Star #488, a current member of the Amsterdam Chapter #208 of the Eastern Star. She was a member of the Methodist Church of Ames. She enjoyed genealogy and traveling worldwide. On December 24, 1944 at St. John's Lutheran Church Mary was married to Harold Van Alstine. He preceded her in death on July 28, 1985. Her son, Timothy Van Alstine and sister, Isabelle May Conrad also predeceased her. Mrs. Van Alstine is survived by her daughter, Bonnie Channell and her husband, Tom of Auriseville, NY; son, Terry Van Alstine and his wife, Janyce of Palatine Bridge, NY; daughter-in-law, Karen Van Alstine of FL; 7 grandchildren, Stacy Wilder of Ithaca, NY, Kari Channell of London, England, Ryan Van Alstine of Groton, NY, Jeffery Van Alstine of Palatine Bridge, NY, James Van Alstine of FL, Theresa Dixon of FL, Timothy Van Alstine of AL; 14 great-grandchildren; 2 great-great-grandchildren; several nieces, nephews, and cousins. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, May 25, 2016 at Noon at The Chapel of Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY 13317. The family will receive relatives and friends on Wednesday from 10:00am-12:00pm at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Mapletown Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Mary Van Alstine may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, 108 Steele Ave., Gloversville, NY 12078 or to The American Cancer Society, 1 Penny Lane, Suite 1, Latham, NY 12110.