Applebee Funeral Home

04/05/2026

To our neighbors and friends: may this Easter Sunday be a time of rest for your spirit. We are humbled to be a part of this community’s journey, through seasons of loss and seasons of hope. Wishing you a day of profound peace and togetherness.

04/03/2026

Mia L. Morris

Mia L. Morris, a remarkable and inspiring woman whose life was marked by strength, compassion, and an unwavering spirit, passed away peacefully on March 31, 2026, surrounded by her family in Selkirk, NY. Born on August 2, 1991, in New Haven, CT, Mia’s journey was defined not only by her professional accomplishments but also by the profound love she shared with her family and friends.

Mia was a dedicated nurse at Albany Medical Center, where her commitment and expertise led to her well-deserved advancement to Nursing Supervisor. Her proudest accomplishments reflected her tenacity and passion: becoming a nurse, marrying the love of her life, welcoming her beloved daughter Hailey into the world, and—most courageously—facing breast cancer with fierce strength and resilience. Mia fought valiantly against metastatic triple-negative breast cancer, demonstrating strength and resilience that inspired all who knew her.

Her educational journey included attending Mount Saint Mary College and SUNY Delhi, earning her bachelor’s degree in nursing. Mia’s intellect and dedication were evident throughout her career and personal endeavors.

Beyond her professional life, Mia was a vibrant soul—strong, smart, caring, funny, and witty. She cherished every moment spent with her family and friends, especially her daughter Hailey and her niece and nephews. Mia loved crafting projects with Hailey, creating beautiful memories and bonds that will forever be treasured. She was also actively involved in supporting breast cancer survivors, offering hope and encouragement drawn from her own journey.

Mia is lovingly remembered by her husband, Andrew Morris; their daughter, Hailey Morris; her father, Robert Doody (Kathleen, deceased); her brothers, Robert Doody (Shannon) and Patrick Doody (Amy); her niece and nephews, Connor, Jacob, Emma, Robert Jr., and Calvin; her mother-in-law, Mary Lou Morris (Howell, deceased); her brothers-in-law, Benjamin Morris and Howell Morris (Elizabeth); and her nephew, Howie.

Family and friends are invited to gather to honor and celebrate Mia’s life at Applebee Funeral Home, located at 403 Kenwood Ave, Delmar, NY 12054. Visitation will be held on April 8, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will take place on April 9, 2026, at 10:00 AM at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, located at 35 Adams Place, Delmar, NY 12054.

Mia’s legacy is one of love, courage, and dedication. Her spirit will continue to live on in the hearts of all who knew her—a beacon of hope and strength. In her memory, may we find inspiration to face our own challenges with the same fierce grace and kindness that Mia embodied every day.

On behalf of her husband, daughter, and immediate family, they wish to express their immense gratitude to their dedicated friends and close-knit community who have supported—and continue to support—them during this most difficult time.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Mia’s memory may consider a contribution at the following link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/coming-together-for-mia

View Mia L. Morris's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/03/2026

Jerome C. Smith

Jerome "Jerry" Smith, 88, of Glenmont, NY, passed away peacefully on March 25, 2026. Born June 8, 1937, in Albany, NY, he was the son of the late Klon and Ann Smith.

Jerry grew up in the city of Albany and spent his adult years in Glenmont, where he built a life defined by hard work, faith, and community. He attended Cathedral Academy and went on to enjoy a 49-year career with Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company, where he served as a glazier.

For over 58 years, he was a devoted member of the Elsmere Fire Department, responding to calls well into his later life. Those who knew him best could always hear the scanner humming in the background at his home - a constant reminder of his dedication to his neighbors and community.

Jerry was a faithful and active member of the Church of St. Thomas the Apostle in Delmar, where he served with pride as a Eucharistic Minister and participated enthusiastically in parish life. His faith was a cornerstone of who he was, and it showed in the way he lived - quietly showing up for those around him, offering help to anyone in need, and leading by example rather than by words.

Those who knew Jerry admired the consistency of his character. He was a good and decent man whose devotion to his faith, his community, and his family never wavered. He gave his time generously - whether answering a fire call, serving at Mass, or simply being present for a neighbor who needed a hand.

In his personal time, Jerry had a zest for life that kept him going. He enjoyed roller skating in his younger years. He loved staying fit and could regularly be found at the gym or out on a bike ride with the love of his life Lois, which became a favorite pursuit in his later adult years. He cherished his mornings at McDonald's, where he gathered with friends over breakfast - a simple ritual that meant the world to him. An avid traveler, Jerry explored destinations across Europe, Canada, and the United States, bringing the same curiosity and energy to the world that he brought to everything else. He was a man of few words, but loved telling stories about his adventures in Europe and the friends he and Lois made there.

Jerry was predeceased by his beloved wife and best friend of over 62 years, Lois, who passed away in August 2024. He is survived by his son, Andrew Smith of Union City NJ; his sister, June Myers; his niece, Melissa Myers (Matthew); and his nephew, Richard Myers (Lauren).

Friends are invited to call on Saturday April 11, from 9:00 to 10:15 a.m. at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar.

A Funeral Mass will follow and be celebrated at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Pl, Delmar, on Saturday, April 11, at 10:30 a.m. A live stream of the Mass will be available at stthomas-church.org.

A procession will follow the Service to the Elsmere Fire Company, 15 W Poplar Dr. for Jerry’s “Last Call to Duty”. All are welcome and encouraged to attend this special ceremony.

A Private Interment will be at Memory Gardens, Colonie N.Y. on Monday April 13th at 1:00p.m.

We would like to thank you for your love and support, especially Kathy, Joe, Alyce and our dedicated Health Care Aids Sema, Amanda, Maurice, Shirelle, and John.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Elsmere Fire Company, 15 W Poplar Dr. Delmar N.Y. 12054.

View Jerome C. Smith's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

04/02/2026

Eloise A. Briere

Eloise A. Briere, 80, passed away peacefully at her home on Monday, March 30, 2026, after a long battle with cancer. She led an extraordinary life. Born in Northampton, MA, to Henry and Gabrielle Chicoine, farmers living in nearby Easthampton, she attended a bilingual French-English grade school run by Franco-American nuns. After graduating from high school she attended the University of Massachusetts, studying French. She then served as a delegate of the International Farm Youth Exchange in Switzerland (through 4H) working for six months on farms throughout that country. Moving to Paris in May of 1968 to work as a translator, she arrived amidst the tumult of the student rebellion and nationwide strike. She subsequently took courses at the Sorbonne, where she met her husband, whom she married in 1970. They then spent two years as high school teachers in Dakar, Senegal (West Africa), journeying there on the last passenger ship to ever make that trip from Marseille. She became a mother there, giving birth to their daughter, and earned her second Master’s degree. Over the course of the following eight years the three resided in both Bordeaux and Toronto, where she earned another Master’s degree and a PhD. In 1978 Eloise moved to Yaoundé, Cameroon, with their daughter to spend a year on a Fulbright scholarship researching African literature and interviewing writers. In 1979, she and her husband moved to Albany where she obtained a position at the University at Albany and had a long career, retiring in 2012 as full professor emerita. Eloise was the first to introduce French language literature from outside of Europe (Quebec, the Caribbean and Africa) to the university. She also took students on study trips to Haiti and Senegal. She published several books and numerous articles about francophone literature. She also served as President of the International Council for Francophone Studies for several years.

From humble farm kid to respected professor, Eloise was a trailblazer, with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. Eminently approachable, she was a mentor to many, and had a wonderful sense of humor (her harmonica was often brandished to great comic effect, especially over the phone on birthdays). She will be greatly missed by all those whose lives she touched.

Eloise was predeceased by her brother Richard of Easthampton MA, and is survived by her husband Jean-François of Delmar, her daughter Caroline and son-in-law Daniel Stone of Albany, and her brothers William, Francis (Mary) and Alfred of Western, MA as well as many cousins, nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, April 9, 2026 from 4pm to 7pm at Applebee Funeral Home at 403 Kenwood Avenue, Delmar, NY. A funeral mass will be held at 10am on Friday, April 10, 2026 at St.Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Place, Delmar. Contributions in Eloise's memory may be made to FONKOZE (fonkoze.org).

04/02/2026

Virginia Pietrykowski

On March 27, 2026 Heaven gained a beautiful angel. Virginia "Ginger" Pietrykowski passed away peacefully with her family by her side. She was on her way to her 92nd birthday.

Ginger was the matriarch of the Pietrykowski family. Together with her husband of 62 years, she and Carl “Pete” Pietrykowski moved from Toledo, Ohio to Delmar and there they raised their five children, who went on to have 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Ginger enjoyed having a large family. Celebrations both big and small were a regular occurrence and Ginger was always a popular guest or a gracious host, making sure everyone felt welcome. She was the life of the party without needing to be the center of attention. Her humor, quick wit, positive attitude and compassionate nature made her a magnet for people and those who were fortunate to know her made an immediate friend. She cherished her neighbors and her friends from Silver Sneakers. She celebrated birthdays and Christmas with her “Lunch Bunch” friends and kept in touch with her friends from high school. She was a Brownie troop leader, a recess monitor at St. Thomas school, active in The Embroiderers’ Guild, volunteered at the Albany Museum of History and Art, and collaborated on many St. Thomas Card Parties. Ginger helped her husband establish Zimmer-Pete Orthopedic distributorship, and also worked at Laura Taylor, Ltd in Delmar. She was a communicant and faithful member of St. Thomas Parish. Ginger had many hobbies. She had a beautiful voice and enjoyed singing, especially Mario Lanza and Julie Andrews songs. She embroidered each of her grandchildren cross-stitched birth announcements and individualized Christmas stockings. She sewed everything from doll clothes to prom dresses and knit blankets, scarfs and socks. Ginger had some serious fishing skills as well, landing a 110 pound halibut while on an expedition to Alaska! She and Pete enjoyed traveling - from duck hunting in Maine on their honeymoon to Norway and Poland to explore their heritage. Being the super-Mom that she was, Ginger always kept a beautiful home, made sure all the kids were cared for and still managed to look terrific, even if she was working in the yard or walking Zimmer at 5:30 in the morning!

Ginger was predeceased by her husband, Carl “Pete” Pietrykowski. She is survived by her children: Carl Pietrykowski (predeceased by his wife, Earnie), Mary Edgington (Jon), Sue Jacobsen (Kevin MacKrell), Michael Pietrykowski (Suzanne) and Annie DiBiase (Nick). She was proud of each of her grandchildren: Joe, Laurel, Emily, Abby, Travis, Nora, Caleb, Lydia, Amos, Anna, Clara, April, Dani, Matthew, Andrew, Katie and Kevin and her great-grandchildren: Leo, Elle, Mae, Luna, Grace, Max, Faith, John, Waylon, Gabe, Dhaysia, Tré, Tabitha, Vincent and Asa.

The family is grateful for the compassionate care of Hospice, as well as her caregivers, Christina and Donna.

Ginger chose to donate her body to the Albany Medical College Anatomical Gift Program.

In lieu of flowers, please make a contribution to Community Hospice at https://www.communityhospice.org/donate/ or to the charity of your choice.

Remember Ginger fondly each time you feel the urge to sing or the warmth of the sun makes you smile. Ginger was so much more than can be put into words. She will be greatly missed. Please join her family in celebrating Ginger’s life. The family will receive visitors on Friday, April 17th from 4:30 - 7:00pm at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave. Delmar. A Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, April 18th at 11:00 at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Place, Delmar.

03/27/2026

We're deeply honored to be named a 2026 Bestie Finalist — #3 Best Funeral Home in the Capital Region by Capital Region Living Magazine.

This recognition belongs to the families who trusted us during the hardest moments of their lives, and then took the time to say so. We are truly grateful.

Thank you — from the bottom of our hearts.
Jay Rutski & Tom Pratt, Owners

Bethlehem Chamber
Bethlehem Local News & Events
Bethlehem Family & Friends Group
Bethlehem Local Businesses

03/24/2026

Caren Elizabeth Rodriguez

Caren Elizabeth Rodriguez was born July 10, 1986 in The Bronx, NY. Caren was a ray of light; a force of energy that always tried before she said she couldn’t. It was her life mission to not be a statistic and make something of herself. She did everything in her power to set her kids and family up as though she knew her mission before we did. Her cup was full of doing things for those she loved, having great meals and seeking adventure. Her dreams included travel, beach going, opening a restaurant and bakery, roller skating, ice skating, writing a book and hiking. Unforgettable moments in her life included an Oregon hike, going to the Ice Cream Museum in NYC, a horse ride, going to the Bronx Zoo, a sunset boat ride and other NYC visits.

She took pride in her gift giving by taking the time to see everyone and know what they liked. She was wise beyond her age. Who knew that the person going through the most would be the foundation in keeping this family together. If she was still with us she would be telling us, “I told you so” for sure.

She is survived by her loving partner Jess, her mother Leticia, her children, Starr and Raymond, and her three younger brothers. Grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins will also be missing her dearly.

Caren's memorial service will be held on Thursday, March 26, 2026 at 1:00 PM at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 85 Elm Avenue, Delmar. A reception will immediately follow the service in the church's Fellowship Hall.

A livestream of the memorial service will be available on the church's website at blcdelmar.com/livestream.

View Caren Elizabeth Rodriguez's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/20/2026

Nothing beats a Friday night tradition! 🐟
We had a wonderful time stopping by the Elsmere Fire Dept fish fry this evening. There is truly nothing like the Delmar community coming together for a good cause (and a great meal).
To the dedicated volunteers at the Elsmere Fire Department: thank you for your selfless service and for everything you do to keep our neighbors safe. It was a pleasure catching up with so many familiar faces and supporting such a vital organization.
If you missed out tonight, make sure to catch the next one. We know we’ll be there!

03/18/2026

Michael D. Dwyer

Michael Derek Dwyer, 86, husband to predeceased wife, Gail, and survived by wife, Linda, passed away at home on March 14, 2026 - his loving wife, Linda, by his side.

Michael was born on July 26, 1939, in Troy, the son of the late John Dwyer and Emily (Seymour) Dwyer. Michael grew up in Troy, attending and graduating from Troy High School. A hard-working and committed father of eight children, Michael worked for many years as a commercial truck driver with local Teamsters affiliate Red Star Express Lines of Glenmont, NY. In his time apart from work and family, Michael served as a lay member of the National Fraternity of the Secular Franciscan Order and faithfully volunteered in various lay ministries as a longstanding member of St. Thomas the Apostle Church of Delmar, NY.

Michael is survived by his loving wife of 9 years, Linda (Kleinke) Dwyer; sons, John Dwyer (Kathy) of Schenectady, Thomas Dwyer (Heather) of Delmar, Chris Dwyer of Albany, James Dwyer of Albany, Timothy Dwyer (Loret) of Troy, Terrence Dwyer (Ann-Marie) of Lousia, VA; daughter Tracy Wheeler (Ray) of Buffalo; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Michael is predeceased by his wife Gail and their son Michael Dwyer (Helen).

Relatives and friends are invited to call on Saturday, March 21, from 4 to 7 p.m. at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave. Delmar. A Memorial Service celebrating Michael’s life will be held at Applebee Funeral Home immediately following calling hours.

Private Interment will be in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Pl., Delmar, NY 12054.

View Michael D. Dwyer's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/14/2026

Virginia E. Bredderman

Ginny Bredderman, 84, passed away on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at home with her husband by her side.

Ginny was born in Queens, NY, on September 7, 1941 to Don and Emily Tortora Ross. She earned her undergraduate degree from Russell Sage College and her Masters Degree in Counseling from Cornell University. She went on to teach Science at Cortland Junior High School before marrying the love of her life Ted Bredderman with whom she was married for 60 years. Once she became a mother, Ginny stayed home to devote herself to caring for their four children Dave, Kathy, Julie (Phil), and Mike (Danielle). Ginny was cherished by her grandchildren Julien, Azalea and Frankie who brought her so much joy in her later years. She is also survived by her beloved brother Ron Ross (Karolyn), and several nieces and nephews.

Ginny was known in the community for having invented a clever school related product. Created initially just for her daughter, the Locker Ladder quickly grew in popularity, positively impacting well over a hundred thousand students over her 20 years in business. In her spare time, Ginny enjoyed tennis, ping pong and volleyball with friends. An avid hiker, she loved to explore nature, often pausing to capture the beauty of God’s creation through photography. She found great delight in reading the Bible and enjoyed discussing scripture with whomever might also be interested, especially her regular bible study groups. She was dedicated to prayer on behalf of family, friends and the community.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10:00am, Friday, March 20, 2026, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church, 35 Adams Place, Delmar. Interment will be in Calvary Cemetery Glenmont.

Contributions in Ginny's memory may be made to Catholic Relief Services, www.crs.org.

View Virginia E. Bredderman's obituary, send flowers, find service dates, and sign the guestbook.

03/10/2026

Marguerite M. Crane

Marguerite Jane Mickley Crane died peacefully March 9, 2026, at the Home of the Good Shepherd, Saratoga Springs, a home she loved and where she was loved.

She was born February 24, 1930, in Chambersburg, PA, and grew up in Cashtown, PA, where her family owned and operated an apple orchard and a gas station at the bottom of a mountain.

She is survived by her sister, Suzanne Mickley Youngblood; three children, Carol Kendall Day, Diane Kendall Stevens (Gregory), and Richard Kendall (Antoinette Russo); five grandchildren, Samantha Stevens Toma (Ghazwan), Daniel Stevens (Jolyane Lepine), Jeremy Stevens (Cristina Iacovissi), Susan Day, and Caroline Day; ten great grandchildren, Emma, Nathan, Mary, Lucy, and Nadia Toma, Oliver, Charles, and Henry Stevens, and Evelyn and Dante Stevens.

She was predeceased by her husband and fellow dog-lover, James W. Crane, in 2008.

Marguerite graduated valedictorian at Gettysburg High School and was named to Phi Beta Kappa at Gettysburg College, where she played the glockenspiel in the band and played on the varsity basketball team.

Marguerite played the organ at a Lutheran Church near Cashtown and was the waterfront director at a Lutheran summer camp. She trained for the Olympics in swimming but chose instead to raise a family and teach biology and special education, a profession she loved, in Wilmington, DE, and in Newark City Schools, OH.

She was an avid learner and a good friend, and like her mother, she had a compassionate and patient heart. She was a woman of great faith who taught her children to pray from a young age and to be kind to all.

Visitation hours will be held on Friday, March 13 beginning at 10 a.m. at Bethlehem Lutheran Church, 85 Elm Ave., Delmar, followed by a funeral service at 11 a.m. Interment will be at Flohr’s Evangelical Lutheran Church Cemetery, McKnightstown, PA. The family thanks you for your love and support, especially from the staff and residents at the Home of the Good Shepherd.

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03/10/2026

Colin S. Izzard

Colin Izzard passed away Wednesday, March 4, 2026 at his residence with his family by his side.

Colin was born in Crowborough, Sussex England. He studied Biological Science at Cambridge University where he earned a PhD. At age twenty seven he joined a team of scientists studying cell motility at SUNY Albany. He became a member of the Marine Biology Laboratory in Woods Hole Ma and was Direcor of Optical Microscopy and Imaging in the Biological Scennes (OMI) for over twenty years. He wrote a "citation classic" on cell movement as a full professor at SUNY Albany.

Colin loved classical music and enjoyed concerts at S**C. His sport was rugby in his youth. The loves of this life were Sally, his wife of fifty six years and research partner. His son, Colin and daughter in law, Elann. His adored granddaughter Teah and grandson who bears his grandfathers name as his middle, Ewan Colin Izzard.

The family will receive visitors on Monday, March 16, 2026 from 5:00 to 7:00pm at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave. Delmar.

In place of flowers please send contributions in his name to the Marine Biological Laboratory in Woods Hole Ma, www.mbl.edu, or to the American Heart Association, www.heart.org/en.

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