HUDSON FALLS – Elsie K. O’Donnell, 85, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family at Glens Falls Hospital on Sunday December 3rd, 2017.
She was born on October 11, 1932 in Cambridge, NY; the daughter of the late Raymond and Irene (Alliger) Fort.
Elsie graduated from Hudson Falls High in 1950. Upon graduation, she worked at the Marinette Paper Company and General Electric, before a long standing career as a bank teller for the First National Bank of Glens Falls. Elsie retired in 1994. During her banking career, she was well known for her sweet, warm, caring smile and customers would wait on her line just so they could say hello. She earned numerous Presidents Award honors for her outstanding work at the bank. This was a job she truly loved. Her quiet loving kindness and compassion went far beyond her work life; it was the centerpiece of her family life. She instilled those traits in all of her four sons and her grandchildren. Elsie cared about others before herself, donating regularly to the local soup kitchen, St Jude’s Children Hospital and her church.
Elsie had a strong faith in God from a very early age. She taught Sunday School to children during her younger years at The Advent Christian Church in Hudson Falls; also playing piano and singing in the chorus. She was also a regular attendee at Pine Knolls Alliance Church in Gansevoort. Her kind warmth was felt by everyone who knew her.
Besides her parents, Elsie was predeceased by her husband’s Robert Morency and Barry “Lefty” O’Donnell; one son, Kim “Bah” Morency; her two brothers John and Chuck Fort; sister in laws, Assunta “Tina” Fort and Marie Fort; and her long-time companion Raymond Havens.
Elsie is survived by her three sons; David Morency ( Debbi Bearden), Brian O’Donnell ( Jessica McKenzie) and Kelly O’Donnell ( Jody Nolan) and grandchildren; Kelley Morency, JC Morency, Tess Morency, Michael O’Donnell, Rachel O’Donnell and Maddy O’Donnell; one sister in law, Jackie Fort; and her dear long-time friend who was like a sister to her, Sally Barker.
The family would like to thank some special friends who helped mom in so many ways over these past several months; Carol Dudley, Raeanne (Havens) Willis, Nancy Havens and Tom and Bev Brown. The family would also like to thank Dr. Stoutenburg; and the nurses at Glens Falls Hospital Tower 2 for the tremendous care they provided our mom.
Elsie’s greatest joy truly was her family. She had such a close relationship with each of her four loving and devoted sons and all of her grandchildren. Her sweet smile and kind gentle way will be missed immensely; we are blessed to have so many great memories of such an incredible mom.
Friends may call on Friday, December 8th, 2017 from 4 to 7pm at Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
Burial at St. Mary’s Cemetery, in Fort Edward, will be private and at the convenience of the family.
Donations can be made to the C.R. Wood Cancer Center / Glens Falls Hospital, 102 Park Street, Glens Falls, NY 12801.
