Shirley M. Krauter

Shirley M. Krauter

TROY, NY: Shirley M. Krauter, a longtime resident of East Glenville, NY and recently of Troy, NY; died on Saturday December 29, 2012 after a brief illness. Born on December 3, 1924 in Bucyrus, Ohio, Shirley was the daughter of Olive (Jacobs) and Ralph Mead.

A 1942 graduate of Bucyrus High School, Shirley worked at the Ohio Power Company until her marriage to Donald W. Krauter in 1947. She and Donald moved to Schenectady, NY in 1948, where they raised their family and made many lifelong friends.

Shirley was predeceased by her parents and brother Walter "Mike" Mead of Bucyrus, Ohio.

She is survived by Donald Krauter, her beloved husband of 65 years; sons Jay of Belmont, CA and Eric (Sue Safton) of Cambridge, MA; daughters Dr. Susan Krauter (Dr. Henry Venable) of Fort Myers, FL; Leslie Krauter (Michael Beditz) of Troy, NY and Deborah Krauter (Dan Solomon) of North Reading, MA; granddaughters Katherine Beditz (Dan Cartwright) and Meg Beditz; brother Harry Mead of Orlando, FL: sister Vera Olmstead (Lt. Gen. Ret. Stephen Olmstead USMC) Annandale, VA; sister-in-law Ivie Mead of Bucyrus, OH and many nieces and nephews.

During a fulfilling career as a homemaker, Shirley also worked for 13 years as a teller and customer service representative for Schenectady Savings Bank and attended Schenectady County Community College. She was an active member of First United Methodist Church, in Schenectady, NY where she volunteered her time and talents as a choir member, parish visitor, Sunday school teacher and mission participant. She was an enthusiastic member of PEO, a philanthropic educational organization, for 52 years. Among her many interests was a love of music which she shared with friends and family. Shirley will be remembered as a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt and a very special grandmother, as well as a loyal and caring friend.

Her family would like to thank the Beechwood and Eddy Memorial Geriatric Center staff, Dr. Wolff and Dr. Chava, and the staff of Samaritan Hospital and The Community Hospice for their care, compassion, and support.

Friends and family will be asked to gather together to celebrate Shirley's life at a memorial service to be scheduled at a future date.

Those who wish may make memorial contributions to: First United Methodist Church, 603 State Street, Schenectady, NY 12305. For a private family guest book and service directions, visit www.brycefh.com.