Obituary of Geraldine C. Maring

Mrs. Geraldine C. "Gerry" Maring, 89, of 324 Canal Street, Fort Plain, NY, died peacefully at her home on November 18, 2015. She would have celebrated her 90th birthday on Thanksgiving Day. Gerry, as she was known to all in the area, served the local communities of Canajoharie, Palatine Bridge, Fort Plain and Nelliston for 65 years. She and her husband Jim owned and operated Maring's General Store in Palatine Bridge from 1950-1970. Gerry later worked for Stewart's Shop in Fort Plain, NY for 18 years before retiring. Her sense of civic responsibility was strong as well; she dispatched for the Mid-County Volunteer Ambulance Service for 20 years, served 18 years on the Board of Directors for Fulmont Community Action Agency, and was an Election Inspector for many years. Gerry was a lifetime area resident, and a life long member of St. Johns-St. Marks Lutheran Church in Canajoharie. Born on November 26, 1925 in Charleston, NY, she was the daughter of Wesley Caswell and Ernestine Alkinburg Caswell. Gerry attended Canajoharie High School and was enrolled in a business curriculum where she had good grades in typing, shorthand and law. During her senior year the war was on, and she worked in Electronics at the Beechnut from 4-10 pm Mon. - Fri. and Sat.-Sun. 8-5, assembling tubes for radios, and K Rations. She graduated in 1945 and received an award for shorthand and typing, and she could type 100 error free words per minute. When the war ended she worked in the Beech Nut Stenographics office pool until she and her husband, James M. Maring, opened the store in Palatine Bridge. Gerry was known for her baking skills. "The Pie Lady", as she has been referred to for many years could often be found selling her wares, which included pies of all kinds, cookies, breads, canned goods, and Buckeyes at local fairs such as Hasslet Park and Stone Arabia. Her favorite annual event took place at Fort Klock, where she had a presence for 15 years. Gerry was preceded in death by her husband, James M. Maring, whom she married on June 25, 1949, and her step-son James H. Maring. She is survived by her children Connie (Rich) Bradford, Ken (Norma) Maring, and Carol (Dave) Richardson as well as 7 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, November 24, 2015 at 10:00am at The Chapel of Houghtaling & Smith Funeral Home, Inc., 20 Otsego Street, Canajoharie, NY. The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday, November 23, 2015 from 4:00-6:00pm at the funeral home. Burial will take place in Ames Cemetery. Contributions in memory of Mrs. Maring may be made to the Fulmont Community Action Agency, 208 Truax Road, Amsterdam, NY 12010.