HUDSON FALLS – Eunice Tarantino’s spirit left this world on Monday December 9, 2013 following a respite stay at The Fort Hudson Nursing Home in Fort Edward, NY.
Born on July 6, 1925 in Hudson Falls, Eunice was the daughter of Ira and Florence (Chard) Willette.
On July 10, 1943 she was married to Lt Roger A Ryder. He was killed in action during World War II, January 9, 1945. On January 8, 1955, she was married to Leonard J. Tarantino, Sr. in St Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls. He died on December 12, 1995.
Eunice was a 1942 graduate of Hudson Falls High School. She was employed as an executive secretary to the plant manager of Scutan Division of Union Bag & Paper Corp., until she resigned after 10 years of service to stay at home with her family. Later she became an administrative secretary at Fort Hudson Nursing Home Inc. where she retired after 20 years of service in 1991.
Eunice’s proudest achievement, along with her husband, was having their seven children attain the highest education of their choice.
Loyalty, diligence, intelligence and integrity were traits Eunice exhibited throughout her life. She could converse on any topic and had a special way of connecting with anyone she spoke with because she wanted to listen to the other person’s point of view. She found humor in life even when the joke was on her. Eunice loved her home, her front porch, and her flower garden. She enjoyed reading, listening to music, travelling, visiting the sea shore, and attending her grandchildren’s sporting events. She could make a mean spaghetti sauce that would feed a crowd and every so often on the holidays or weddings she gleefully downed a Manhattan or a Rusty Nail. She enjoyed the competition of board and card games at family get-togethers, playing Bridge with her girlfriends, gambling at the racetrack with her sons and their friends. She was a voyeur of national politics and an active participant on the local political scene.
Eunice led a simple good and full life, surrounded by family and friends. Family was her priority. In her later years she was able to visit some of the distant places she had read about, places like Europe, California, and Hawaii. Not so long ago, she organized a family trip in Washington D. C. to witness the opening of the World War II memorial, for which she had generously contributed. She hated war, but she wanted to honor her children’s fathers, her husbands, who had fought in that war so long ago. Sharing the D.C. trip with her children and grandchildren was a wonderful and memorable experience for the whole family. We can still see her smiling.
In addition to her parents and her husbands, Eunice was predeceased by a daughter, Jane Maziejka (1991), grandson Michael Ahrens (2010), and sister Marjorie Cardinal.
Eunice is survived by her children, Dayle (Roger) Ahrens of Fort Edward, Gayle (David) DeRienzis of Sea Cliff, Ellen (Paul Fronhofer) Ketchum of Salem, Leonard (Carolyn) Tarantino Jr. of Ho-Ho-Kus NJ, Thomas (Andrea) Tarantino of Wilmington NC, Eunice (Francis) Belleville of Clifton Park; her grandchildren Roger (Janet) Ahrens, Elizabeth (Jason) Martin, Jennifer Ahrens; Daniel and Joshua DeRienzis; Benjamin (Katherine) Ketchum; Jonathan (Deana Lewsey) Ketchum; Rachael, Cameron and Noah Maziejka, Bryce and Brittany Tarantino; Nicholas, Peter and Diane Tarantino; Samuel and Hannah Belleville; and great grandchildren, Zachary, Elizabeth and Joshua Ahrens; Jane and Allison Martin; and Simon, Ethan and Olivia DeRienzis; former son-in-laws Stanley Maziejka, Frank Ketchum; several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Calling hours for Eunice will be held at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main St., Hudson Falls, NY from 4 – 7 pm on Tuesday December 17.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11 am on Wednesday December 18, at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church on the park in Hudson Falls.
The Rite of committal will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in the town of Fort Edward.
On our mother’s behalf we would like to thank the staff of the Fort Hudson Nursing Home for their devotion to our mother’s wellbeing in these last few months of her life.
The family suggests that memorial donations be made to: The Fort Hudson Foundation, 319 Broadway, Fort Edward, NY 12828.
On behalf of my wife and I we are sorry for your loss as a family and our own loss as Eunice was a great neighbor.
My family thanks you for always being there for our mom, helping with the porch furniture when she wanted to get ready for Memorial Day Parade, or just looking out for her well being. She would often mention to us the favors you did for her, Thank you so much!
Dayle Ahrens
I will remember Mrs. Tarantino always wearing a smile and quick to say hello. She was very proud of her family and brightened anyone’s day who met up with her
My grandmother was Eunice’s sister. I wish the family the best.
I have many fond memories of Eunice from when she and my Mom worked together at the Nursing Home. She always had a smile. My thoughts and prayers are with all her family.
Dear Len and family
Heartfelt condolences on your mother’s passing.
You and all your family are in our hearts and in our prayers.
Fondly,
Diane and Mark Marotta
Ellen and family….Bob and I are saddened to hear of your Mom’s passing . You and your family are in our thoughts and prayers !
Please accept oursincerest sympathy at this most difficult time
Please accept our sincerest sympathy at this most difficult time
Ellen
My prayers and thoughts are with you and your family. Let God’s love and mercy bring you comfort and peace.
My thoughts and prayers are with you all at this difficult time.