Obituary of Elizabeth E. Empie

Mrs. Elizabeth (Eaker) Desmond Empie, 96, of Fort Plain, New York passed away Monday, September 20, 2010 at Saratoga Hospital after a brief illness, surrounded by her loving family. Born on February 18, 1914, she was the daughter of Henry Clay Eaker and Maude (Hart) Eaker of Little Falls. She graduated from Little Falls High School in 1932. On October 27, 1945 she married Alton (Rube) Shults Empie of Fort Plain. Liz loved life and brightened every room she was in. She played bridge in two card clubs in Little Falls until her illness, driving her sister and two dear friends Carmeta Stahler and Eve Fuelleman. Later they would celebrate winning or commiserate on losing at McDonald's in Palatine Bridge or "The Stand" (Parkside Restaurant) in St. Johnsville. When she was with the family, the game was pinochle. She enjoyed teaching the game to her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. And she loved to win. Mrs. Empie loved to read, keeping the Fort Plain Free Library and her granddaughter Becky at the Corinth Free Library busy supplying her with books. She also loved her trips to visit her daughter Jody and son-in-law, Dan DiLoreto in Rochester. Shopping trips, lunches, the Century Club and being with family friends were important agendas. When staying with daughter Sheila and son-in-law, Dick Pitkin in Corinth, pinochle and lunch at Steininger's, Mollie's, Panera's as well as larger family gatherings were in order. In earlier years, Liz enjoyed traveling to California, Arizonia, England, Canada and the New England States. When Liz was young she worked at the Little Falls Felt Shoe Company, and then went to school to become a stenographer. Later she worked in the offices of Chr. Hanson Laboratories, Fort Plain High School Guidance Office and Beech-Nut Foods. She retired from Agway, Fort Plain, NY in 1979. Liz was predeceased by her parents and siblings, Harold Eaker, Marilyn McAllister, Austin Eaker ad her beloved husband Rube Empie. She is survived by her daughters, Sheila (Dr. Richard) Pitkin, Corinth, NY, Jody (Daniel) DiLoreto, Rochester, NY; sister, Edith E. Beck of Fort Plain, NY; 5 grandchildren, Cynthia (Ahmad Hamzehdoost) Pitkin of Groton, MA, Rebecca (David) Fasulo of Corinth, NY, Alson Pitkin (Emily Rossier) of Troy, NY, Jennifer (Frank) Palumbo of Canton, NY, Alex (Shari) Pitkin of Somerville, MA; great-grandchildren, Katie, Kiana and Hamed Hamzehdoost, Daniel and Amy Fasulo, Myrrh Pitkin, Francesco and Cristiano Palumbo, Samantha and Spencer Pitkin; as well as several nieces and nephews. She also leaves dear friends, Beverly Fasulo, Mary Palumbo and her bridge partners. The family wishes to convey their deepest gratitude to Dr. David Kandath, Dr. Desmond DelGiacco and the staff of Saratoga Hospital ICU for their loving and compassionate care of Elizabeth.