M. Ellegate

SLINGERLANDS- Mary Frances Ellegate, 85, died Friday, October 11, 2013 at St. Peter's Nursing and Rehabilitation Center. Known to her friends and family as Fran she was raised in Moorefield, WV the daughter of Vernon and Frances (Powers) Johnson. She graduated from Moorefield High School and attended Mildred Elley Business School after moving to Castleton, NY. Fran and her late husband Emmett were married for 45 years and lived in Delmar until Emmett's death in 1997. Fran worked for Airway Motors in Rensselaer and later at Zurich Insurance in Albany in the 1940's and 50's, but devoted most of her life being a homemaker and mother. She was a member of the First Congregational Church of Albany, UCC. Fran was a Sunday school teacher for many years and served on the Church's Board of Deacons. Fran was also a member of the Evangelical Protestant Church, UCC in Albany where she served on the Board of Trustees. She was also a member of the Onesquethaw Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star. Fran enjoyed reading, sewing and gardening, and was a great cook, well known for her chili. Fran is survived by her daughter Nancy Ellegate of Albany; dear friend Jeffrey Decker of Albany; several cousins, including the cousin often mistaken for her sister, Carolyn Bishop and her husband Wallace of Martinsburg, WV; and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law Gail and Richard Ellegate of Oneonta, NY. She is also survived by several nieces and nephews and their families. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, October 16, 2013 from 4 to 7pm in the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave. Delmar. Funeral services will be held Thursday at 10am in the funeral home. Interment will follow in Onesquethaw Cemetery, Clarksville. Those who wish may send memorial donations to Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205, or the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society 3 Oakland Ave. Menands, NY 12204.