HUDSON FALLS – Estella Lenora Danahy (nee Gerhauser), 86, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, August 7th at Kingsway Arms Nursing Home in Schenectady, NY.
Mrs. Danahy was born in Glens Falls, to Foster Gerhauser and Estella Billings Gerhauser, who died in childbirth. Mrs. Danahy was raised by her grandmother, Nellie Billings and by her aunts, Amy DeGuire and Nellie St. John.
Estella graduated from Glens Falls High School’s Class of 1944. After high school, she went to work as an executive secretary in the offices of the Imperial Paper Co. (later Hercules Inc/Ciba Geigy Corp), where she met, and later married Lawrence C Danahy on May 26, 1951. The Danahy’s lived in Hudson Falls their entire married life, fifty-five of those years at 137 Maple Street. Mrs. Danahy left her job in 1953 to become a full-time homemaker and raise their two children, which she found very fulfilling. Mr. Danahy predeceased his beloved wife of 58 years in 2010.
Estella Danahy is survived by two children, Elaine J. McVoy (Gary) of Slingerlands, and Kevin L. Danahy (Barbara Hyland) of Colonie; her four much-loved grandsons, Matthew McVoy of Glenmont, Alan Danahy of Columbia, SC, Ryan Danahy of Astoria, Queens, and Brian McVoy (Amy Downey) of Delmar, as well as the newest addition to the family, their daughter and her beloved first great-grandchild, Elizabeth Rachel McVoy.
An avid fan for many decades, Mrs. Danahy never missed an opportunity to watch NY Yankees and NY Giants games with her husband, son, and grandsons. She was also an accomplished seamstress who made beautiful custom clothes for herself and her daughter for many years. Throughout her life, Estella was very creative and enjoyed artistic past-times such as ceramics, oil painting and watercolors. Over the years she painted many beautiful nature scenes which adorn the walls of her children’s and grandchildren’s homes. And she made her daughter and daughter-in-law each a set of Christmas Nativity Scene figurines which are among their most prized possessions.
Calling hours will be held at Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls from 9:30 to 10:30 AM on Friday, August 9th.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 a.m., following the calling hours at St. Mary/St. Paul’s Church on the park in Hudson Falls.
In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Estella Danahy may be sent to Community Hospice, online at https://donations.communityhospice.org/donate-memorialdonation or you may mail a check to the Community Hospice Foundation 295 Valley View Blvd, Rensselaer, NY 12144.
Estella’s family also wishes to thank the extraordinary, wonderful, caring staff of Kingsway Arms Nursing Center, A-Wing, as well as her Community Hospice team, for all they did to make Mrs. Danahy’s time there safe and happy,and to make her final days comfortable and peaceful.
Online condolences may be made by visiting www.carletonfuneralhome.net.
as a kid growing up 2 doors down from her and Larry, and still keeping in touch with them up till a few years ago, i’ll just sad i’m deeply saddened by the loss of such a wonderful lady. my thoughts are with you Elaine, Kevin and family.
All of my memories of Stel are joyous! She and Larry took us for bike rides when my brother and I were kids. My parents didn’t have the time or desire to do that. That forever holds a place in my heart! She made me (i’m lauging) lettuce sandwiches daily. I would skip meals to go over for Lettuce sandwiches! She once told me (35 years ago) that i could do anything! I asked her if i could dig to China and she gave me a shovel! She was so amazing. Now i start to tear up… She wasnt just amazing she was my childhood angel! My thoughts go out to Elaine, Kevin and their families! Huggs to all!
I lived next door to the Danahys’ from birth to age 8 or 9. I played with her kids and enjoyed her hospitality even after we moved to the country. She was a great neighbor for kids to have. I will miss her greatly.