Obituary of Mary Louise Reber

Charlton– Mary L. Reber (nee Kemmerling) passed away peacefully on December 30th 2021 at the age of 102. She was predeceased by her loving husband Elwood J. Reber, better known as Bunny, after 64 years of marriage. She was the mother of 5 children: Gayle Nethaway (predeceased) (John), Joel (Sandy), Kathleen Wester, Mary Ann Newell (Edward), Karen Gniewek Conklin (Clifford); 14 grandchildren and 17 great grandchildren. Mary was born on September 21, 1919 in Auburn, PA. She graduated as the valedictorian from Auburn High School and worked as a seamstress at the local knitting mill until her marriage to Bunny in 1941. Mary and Bunny moved from Pennsylvania to start their married life in Louisville, Kentucky, and then moved with DuPont/General Electric to Oakridge, TN, Chicago, Ill, and Hanford, WA. Following WWII, they settled in Schenectady and resided for many years on the corner of Lexington and Plum Streets. In 1968, they built their dream home in Charlton where they enjoyed gardening, bird-watching, fishing in their trout-stocked pond. But most of all, Mary loved hosting many gatherings of family and friends. Wherever she lived, Mary was a devoted homemaker, caregiver, and community servant. She was an active volunteer in school activities, 4-H, scouting, and service to her church including Trinity Methodist (now Faith Methodist) and Charlton Freehold. She also loved cooking, baking, sewing, reading, playing cribbage and bridge, and traveling across the United States and Canada in a motor home. Every New Year’s Eve, she and Bunny hosted a New Year's party for their square dancer group, dubbed the Reber Rebels. Visiting hours will take place on Friday, January 7th 2021 from 4-7 pm at Jones Funeral Home 1503 Union Street, Schenectady, NY. A private family prayer service will be held the following day. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to Make-A-Wish Foundation and/or St. Jude’s Hospital for Children.