Obituary of Carol J. Hudson

Carol Jean (Greenhill) Hudson, of Niskayuna, passed away at Ellis Hospital on Sunday, September 13, 2015 after a sixty year battle with rheumatoid arthritis. Carol was born in Troy, New York on August 18, 1935 to Jack K. Greenhill and Jean Dorothea (Winne) Greenhill, both deceased. She is survived by her devoted husband of 58 years, John B. Hudson. Carol spent her early years in Pittsfield, MA before moving to Corinth, NY . She graduated from New York State Teachers' College in Albany, NY in 1957. She taught English in the Duanesburg School District for one year, then retired to raise a family. Despite being crippled by increasingly severe rheumatoid arthritis, she rejoined the work force in 1978, accepting a position at the Schenectady Museum where she was Director of Public Information and Publications. She remained at the museum until her retirement in 1997. In her retirement years she developed a passion for genealogy research, and published books on the origins and history of both sides of the Greenhill and Hudson families, going back to the first European settlers of this country. She was also able to indulge her passion for opera and theater, and to accompany John and David to sailing regattas each Summer. She spent her final winters in Florida, where she found many new friends. Carol is also survived by her three children Robert Hudson of Fulton, NY; David (Trudy) Hudson of Niskayuna and Jean (Chip) Copper of Hummelstown, PA. She leaves three grandchildren, Amy Hudson, Peter Hudson and Katherine Copper. She is also survived by sisters Barbara (Don) Eckenfelder of Queensbury, NY, and Joanna (David) Bock of Newfield, NY, and brother Jon (Karen) Greenhill of Oakland, MD and numerous nieces and nephews. Her sister, Nancy (Fran) Casey of Lake George, NY predeceased her. She was an outgoing person for whom acquaintances soon became friends. She will be remembered for her ability to connect with people of divergent backgrounds. Her courage in going on in the face of incessant pain from her arthritis, even when confined to a wheelchair in her final years, is an inspiration for us all. Viewing hours will be held from 5:00 to 7:00 PM on Friday, September 18 at the Jones Funeral Home, 1503 Union St, Schenectady. A memorial service will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 19 at the Unitarian Universalist Society of Schenectady, 1221 Wendell Ave in Schenectady. Contributions in lieu of flowers can be made to the Glimmerglass Festival, PO Box 191, Cooperstown, NY, 13326 or to Shakespeare & Company, 70 Kemble St., Lenox, MA, 01240.