FORT EDWARD – On Monday, May 27, 2019, Lois Elaine (White) Belden, longtime resident of Fort Edward, passed peacefully at The Pines at Glens Falls at age 82 after a prolonged illness.
Lois was born on April 24, 1937 in a 27 room farmhouse in Argyle, NY to Jasper and Harriet (Knowlton) White. Shortly after her graduation from Argyle High School, she started her family as proud and devoted mother to her five children whom she always referred to as her jewels: Rick, Chris, Brian, Aimee, and Andrew. Her working life included many years in sales and customer service, which she found deeply satisfying thanks to her natural enjoyment of and affinity for people as well as her innate drive to help others. In this, as in all areas of her life, she made a memorable impression on everyone she encountered with her friendly approach, ready humor, and commitment to treating everyone fairly, with integrity and respect.
Lois had a sharp, curious mind and was an avid reader, a lifelong learner, and a published poet. She valued education and emphasized its importance to her children. She had a lifelong love of music, which she also imparted to her children. She always described herself as a country girl and often told stories about growing up on a farm, speaking fondly of working all day in the fields as a girl with her father.
Tenacious and fiercely self-reliant, Lois began earning her own money at age 13 and continued to live independently in her own home until shortly before her 82nd birthday. She was unusually perceptive, quick witted with a keen sense of humor, and uniformly well remembered by her children’s friends as always warm and welcoming whenever they visited her home during their school years.
In her retirement, Lois enjoyed being a loving grandmother to her nine grandchildren and spending time with family, friends, and neighbors. Her home life included completing jigsaw puzzles and word searches, taking walks by the Feeder Canal, enjoying time with her beloved dogs and observing the ongoing variety of wildlife (such as birds, deer, and turkeys) that visited her yard. Lois also spent many summers as a volunteer with the children’s reading program at the Hudson Falls Library.
Lois was preceded in death by her father, Jasper, and her mother, Harriet.
Survivors include her five children, Rick Belden of Austin, TX, Christopher Belden and wife, Susan, of Austin, TX, Brian Belden and wife, Danielle, of Manchaca, TX, Aimee Belden of Buda, TX, and Andrew Belden of Malta; grandchildren Conner Belden, Ted Belden, Courtney Hohnecker, Kenneth Belden, Natalie Belden, Griffin Perry, Haley Belden, Peyton Perry, and Hannah Belden; siblings Mildred Plude of Hudson Falls, Elsie McMurry of Argyle, , Shirley Washburn and husband, George, of Berne, Wayne White and wife, Lynn, of Fort Edward, and Bruce White and wife, Zoe, of Argyle, as well as many nieces, nephews, and cousins who loved her dearly.
At Lois’ request, there are no calling hours scheduled.
A Memorial Service will take place at 10 a.m. on Saturday, June 15, 2019, at the First Presbyterian Church of Hudson Falls, on the park in Hudson Falls with the Lee Pallman, Pastor, officiating.
Lois’ family would like to thank Dr. Coombes, Dr. Taylor and the staff at C.R. Wood Cancer Center in Glens Falls for the time, care, and compassion shown to Lois throughout her illness.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in Lois’ name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. 501 St Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.
Arrangements have been entrusted to the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
My sincere condolences to Lois’ family. I never met her but from knowing and working with her son, Andrew, I know that she had to have been a remarkable woman. I ams so sorry for your loss. I pray for peace and comfort for you.
Thank you for your kind words Denise. You share the same sense of fairness, honesty, and humor that she had. She would have appreciated all of that, as I do.
My sincere condolences to the Belden family. I was her mailman for many years on Wolf Road. Lois was one of my favorite customers, I would stop and visit most days. She was always smiling and very cheerful and days that I didn’t stop she would always be out there waving to me as I went by. I’ve been retired six and a half years now but I will always remember Lois.
Thank you for sharing your lovely memories of our mom. She was very fond of you as well and said you were the best mailman ever!
To the Belden family:
Our hearts go out to you.
We were next door neighbors to Lois. We became close to her over the last 2 years. She was exactly as described. Always friendly with a great since of humor. Lois made us laugh! Always had a story to tell us. We know how much she loved her family and her little dog.
Lois always kept an eye on our house when we were away.
She was a close friend to my sister-in-law Mary Ann and her husband Terry for many years and they speak very highly of her. Lois will be greatly missed.
Thank you so very much, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson, for your kind words regarding our mother. I know she enjoyed your company as well and was so appreciative of the food and meals you would bring her. Your kindness towards her did not go unnoticed. God Bless you both.
Please accept my sincere condolences on the passing of Lois. She was a good and thoughtful neighbor and friend. We saw very little of one another over the years, but it was always like yesterday when we came together. Those moments will be truly missed.
Thank you for sharing your kind remembrance of our mom. I know she thoroughly enjoyed having your family as neighbors, as did I.
If I’m not mistaken, I think she used to talk about first meeting your dad at the barn dances in Argyle when she was in her late teens! Imagine what a scene that must have been. Hard to believe they were all once so young, but they were.
Again, thank you. We all appreciate hearing from you.
My sincerest and heartfelt condolences go out to Lois’es family. I worked with Lois for many years at the Washington County WIC Program. I was so sorry to learn of her illness and knowing that she had to go through that. I thorougly enjoyed working with her. She was a lot of fun and spread much compassion and laughter to staff and clients alike. She spoke of her children often and with great pride. Some of her stories and reassurance helped me chuckle as my kids were hitting their teen years. She always made me feel better!
Thank you so much for sharing your memories of working with our mom, Cindy. It’s so nice to hear from others who knew her in other areas of her life and helps paint a bigger and more complete picture of her life, and the impact her life had on the lives of others. Sincere appreciation for taking the time to leave this message.