Shirley Otty

Shirley W. Partridge Otty, of Eddy Village Green in Cohoes, formerly of East Greenbush, NY, passed away on January 8, 2017, at the age of 97. The family is deeply appreciative of the care of those at Eddy Village Green who cared for our mother over the past six years.

Shirley was the fourth of nine children born to the late William Richard Partridge and Ethel Maude Wetmore Partridge. She was born and grew up in the still isolated Adirondack town of Beaver River, New York. She attended the one-room Beaver River school through the 8th grade, then boarded while she attended the Town of Webb High School where she graduated in 1936. She graduated from Albany Business College in 1937.

Shirley married Howard C. Otty, Sr. in 1940 at the First Reformed Church. He preceded her in death in 2012. She is survived by her sisters, Margaret Reinert and June Partridge, and brother, Robert Partridge, and her three children, Howard C. Otty, Jr. (Molly) of Lyndon, VT, Richard E. Otty (Lynn) of Ayer, MA,, and Margaret Ann Harrison of Framingham, MA. Also surviving are 8 grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.

After their first child was born, Shirley became a full-time homemaker. In 1970 she began working during the session of the New York State legislature retiring in 1982. She served in the community as a volunteer with the Red Cross, New York Theater Institute and a board member of the Kathryn Wirth Library. She was a member of Westminster Presbyterian Church for almost 70 years, where she taught Sunday school, was choir mother for the junior choir, was a Deacon and Steward, and served in the Focus Churches food pantry and breakfast programs.

Her interest in both political history and current events led her to become active in Great Decision groups. She was an avid reader, excellent and creative cook, home gardener, seamstress and collector of anything related to birds. She and her husband made several trips to Europe, as well as extensive travel within the US participating in Elderhostel programs related to music, wine, photography, history and art.

A memorial service will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church (85 Chestnut St, Albany, NY) on Sunday, January 15 at 2 pm. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a gathering in the Welles Room of the church following the service. The family is in the care of Newcomer Cannon Funeral Home. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions be made to Eddy Village Green, 321 Columbia St, Cohoes, NY 12047, designated for "Nursing Scholarships."