Obituary of Eleanor R. Petrie

Eleanor Rydbeck Petrie entered into life eternal with Christ on Sunday, September 2, 2018.

Eleanor was born on July 17, 1925 in Schenectady, NY to Martin and Ruth Johnson. She graduated from Scotia High School, attended Philadelphia School of the Bible and later worked at General Electric and as a teller in a local bank.

After marrying Vernon A. Rydbeck on November 29, 1947, Eleanor invested her life in raising their five children. She lovingly nurtured her growing family as they moved from Schenectady to New Canaan, CT and then back to Niskayuna, NY in 1960. Eleanor was a faithful member of First Presbyterian Church in Schenectady for seventy-one years where she taught Sunday School to the Junior High girls. She also served on the local Billy Graham Committee and actively served the Lord with the Capital District Women’s Club. She joyfully encouraged other women in this ministry and also taught Friendship Bible Coffees. Ellie gladly shared the love of Christ with other ladies, neighbors and friends. She remained actively involved in Christian Women’s Club ministry after the death of her husband, Vern, in 1984.

In February 1999 she married the Rev. Clyde Petrie and they lived on Ruffner Rd until they moved to the Kingsway Community. At church, Clyde and Ellie led a Grief-Support group for other widows, widowers and grieving families.

Ellie loved to play tennis, swim at Lake George, visit family, take her many vitamins and show gracious hospitality to others in need. At the time of her death, Ellie was living at the Kingsway Community in Schenectady.

Ellie Rydbeck Petrie was preceded in death by her parents, Martin and Ruth Johnson and her first husband, Vernon A. Rydbeck.

Ellie’s survivors include her beloved husband, Rev. Clyde Petrie (Kingsway Community). She is also survived by her four sons Bruce (Cherith) of Ecuador, SA; Randy (Marti) of Hamilton, MA.; Don (Joni) of Hudsonville, MI.; Dean (Lynne) of Opelousas, LA; and her daughter Carol Gruen (Tom) of Portsmouth, NH. She also has four stepsons: David (Janette) of Berea, CA; Stephen (Donna) of Aurora, CO; Mark (Elizabeth) of Vestal NY and Tim (April) of Matthews, NC. On the Rydbeck side Ellie has fourteen grandchildren and sixteen great-grandchildren. On the Petrie side, Ellie has fourteen grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Aunt Ellie also had a host of loving nieces and nephews.

Eleanor is also survived by her sister Marjorie Johnson of Glenville, NY; her brother Gordon Johnson (Edie) of Ft. Meyers, FL and her sister Marion Allaby (Stan) of Woodstock Valley, CT.

The family would like to thank her loving caregivers: Lori Lovell, Jean Ramessar and Sue Caprara. We would also thank the caring staff at Kingsway Community.

The memorial service for Eleanor Rydbeck Petrie will take place at 12 noon on Monday, September 17 at First Presbyterian Church, 209 Union St. in Schenectady, NY.

Memorial gifts may be made to: Capital District Youth for Christ P.O. Box 443 Halfmoon, NY 12065 or to Life Giving Water International 154 Temple Rd. Waltham, MA 02452