Groom-Radley Family Tree

Published:
Friday, November 12, 2010 2:26 AM EST

Gertrude L. Wilber, 94, of Ghent, Columbia County, died Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010 at Pine Haven Nursing Home in Philmont.

She was a lifetime resident of the Town of Ghent. Born Sept. 23, 1916 in Hudson, she was the daughter of the late Harrison and Florence Raab, formerly of West Ghent.

She was predeceased by her husband, Grant A. Wilber, whom she married on June 11, 1944; her sisters, Mildred Raab, Dorothy Powell, and Jane Fleming Moore, and a brother, Howard Raab.

Surviving are her son and daughter-in-law, Russell G. and Sharon Wilber of Ghent; her brother, Walter Raab of Schenectady, several nieces and nephews, and many friends.

Mrs. Wilber graduated from the Hudson School System. She was a lifelong member of the Ghent Reformed Church, a member of the choir, the Ghent Doers, and the Eastern Star. In 1958 she was a charter member of the Ghent Volunteer Fire Company Ladies Auxiliary and was elected their first secretary. She was employed by NY State Electric and Gas from 1936 until 1994, serving as secretary to six managers at the Chatham location. In 1986 she was honored for 50 years of service (the first woman with 50 years service) for the company. At that time a conference room in the new building in Chatham was named after Mrs. Wilber. She is fondly remembered by her fellow employees as "Lady NYSEG". Also she served as secretary/treasurer of NYSEG Berkshire District Quarter Century Club and as contributing editor to the "Tie Lines News" for over 40 years. During our country's Bicentennial in 1976, Mrs. Wilber served on the Town of Ghent Bi-Centennial Committee as Secretary and kept a complete record of the Town's activities from beginning to end. She contributed and helped publish "Squampamock, A Bicentennial History of Ghent, NY".

Gertrude, known for her independent ways, enjoyed doing odd jobs around the house and yard, such as mowing the lawn, trimming the hedge, and scraping and painting the house, even in her elderly years. She will be missed very much.

Visiting hours are 10-12 noon Saturday at the Bates & Anderson - Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home. Services will follow at noon at the funeral home.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Gertrude's name to the Ghent Reformed Church, 1039 Route 22, Box 90, Ghent, NY, 12075.

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Published:
Saturday, November 13, 2010 2:26 AM EST
Funeral services for Gertrude L. Wilber, 94, of Ghent, who died Tuesday, Nov. 9, 2010 at Pine Haven Nursing Home in Philmont, will be held at noon today (Saturday) at the Bates & Anderson - Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home. Calling hours are from 10-12 noon. Burial will be in the Ghent Union Cemetery. Pall bearers will include Kyle Wilber, Ken Wilber, Jeff Radley, Jim Radley, Bill Powell, Tim Raab, Bob Farquharson, and Rich Fleming. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Gertrude's name to the Ghent Reformed Church, 1039 Route 22, Box 90, Ghent, NY, 12075.