Emily Parker

Parker, Emily DELMAR Emily Parker, 79, died early Monday morning, November 19, 2007 from complications of scleroderma at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital. Born in Watervliet, N.Y. on November 3, 1928, she was the daughter of the late Julian and Catherine Darmetko. Following local education, she was employed at Mont-gomery Ward where she met her husband, Russell. They were married on February 15, 1955. She subsequently was employed by the NYS Department of Health before assuming full-time motherhood. Following a family move to Rockland County, she involved herself in volunteering in the P.T.A. and a local charity group that made crafts for sale. Also, it began a lifetime interest of knitting, needlepoint and crocheting. As her sons matured, she pursued more education, graduating from Rockland Community College with an associate's degree and, with substantial scholarship from St. Thomas Aquinas College of Rockland County, a bachelor's degree. After a brief volunteering and employment at Rockland County Historical Society, she was appointed as a case worker for the Rockland Co. Social Services, which matured into a senior level position in the Children's Adoptive Service, which subsequently resulted in a case worker of the year award by the Adoptive Parents Association. Following retirement, she returned to Delmar where she began married life, entered into church programs, and enjoyed a reading activity of two to three books a week. Her only regret of the move was being unable to attend a Mahjongg group, a game she played for years in social relaxation. She is survived by her husband, Russell B. Parker; her son, Christopher B. Parker. A son, David R. Parker, died by accidental death many years ago. She is also survived by her sister, Julia Speanburg and husband Richard; sisters-in-law, Edna Darmetko and Connie Darmetko; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three brothers and four sisters. A memorial service is to be held Saturday, November 24, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to either the Hospice Inn at St. Peter's Hospital, 315 So. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208 or the Albany United Methodist Society, 340 First Ave., Albany, NY 12206.