Irene Griffith

 Niskayuna - It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my mother Irene Griffith, 106, on Oct. 18, 2024. Mom suffered a stroke at home and passed away 11 days later in hospital. This feisty and spirited woman remained mentally alert as her aging body simply wore down from all the years of activity.

 The daughter of Michael and Almeda Laudato of Schenectady mom was a Mont Pleasant High School graduate who never moved from the area. She married Jim Griffith in 1947 after working a few years at GE and together, with their children Terrie Lynn and Glenn, they formed a solid family for more than 50 years.

 Mom' s working life included 13 years at GE before and after having children and many years at New York State Civil Service in Albany. She was a highly valued secretary at both places of employment and could take dictation and type 100 wpm on a standard typewriter. I know, I saw her in action.

In retirement mom was a longtime golfer in the Rotterdam Ladies League at Whispering Pines Golf Course where she made many friends and had an abundance of good times. For a few years dad and mom wintered in Myrtle Beach, S.C. where they continued to hit the small white ball. When they tired of driving south she took up painting and piano lessons. The house is filled with her art.

 As long as she could drive she was always going somewhere. A fall at home necessitated surgery for a broken hip at 98. Five years later she had surgery for a melanoma on her back at 103. She weathered both like a trooper.

 Always an avid reader, mom switched to audio books when her eyesight began to fail her. She finished "reading" John Grisham's 'The Reckoning' three weeks ago and gave me a summary after dinner one night.

 She is survived by her son Glenn, nephews Kent Laudato of Colorado, David Laudato of Edinburg, and niece Sandy Pauly of Ballston Spa. 

Funeral services were private.