Obituary of Mary R. Prater

Niskayuna- Mary Prater passed away peacefully at the age of 91 on September 7, 2010. Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Reverend Howard and Beulah Ricketts as well as brothers Rollin and Bob Ricketts and sister Margaret Robbins DeBates. She has one surviving brother, James Ricketts of Clearfield, Utah. Mary moved with her family to Montana at an early age and received her elementary and secondary schooling in Stevensville and Kalispell. After graduating from high school she attended the University of Maontana, receiving a B.A. in English. Following graduation she taught seven years in high schools in Fairfield and Dillon Montana. In 1948 she married Thomas Prater, moved to State College, Pennsylvania and three years later to Schenectady, as a full time home maker. Always anxious to help others she volunteered her services with Schenectady Cerebral Palsy Association, Northeast Parent and Child and Ellis Hospital. She is survived by her husband of 62 years. Other survivors include three children, Lewis of Scotia, New York; John of Durham, North Carolina; and Margaret of Schenectady and two granddaughters, Dana Prater and Holly Prater of Durham, North Carolina. A Memorial Service will be held Saturday, September 18th at 11 AM. There will be no calling hours. Memorial contributions may be made in Mary's name to either the Eastern Parkway United Methodist Church, 948 Palmer Ave., Schenectady, NY 12309 or to the American Kidney Foundation, 1250 Broadway, Suite 2001, NY, NY 10001.