Obituary of Harriet R. Halsey

Niskayuna - Harriet R. Halsey of Niskayuna, passed away peacefully on Saturday, November 6, 2010 at her home. She was born in 1919 in Pittsfield, MA, the daughter of Gustave Radke and Amelia Schielke Radke. Mrs. Halsey is survived by her husband, George Halsey, of Niskayuna and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents, Gustave and Amelia Radke, her brothers, Bill, Paul, Bernard and Edmund Radke and her sisters, Julia Briggs and Joan Lindy. Before Harriet was married, she worked at the Berkshire Evening Eagle newspaper in Pittsfield, MA. In October of 1945, Harriet married George Halsey. Harriet and George Halsey moved to Schenectady in 1955 when her husband, George, was transferred to the Knolls Atomic Power Laboratory (KAPL). Upon her husband's retirement from GE in 1980, she and Mr. Halsey traveled the world, visiting the majority of the tourist attractions, photographed great sights of the world and played golf. Mrs. Halsey was a member of the Mohawk Golf Club for 49 years. Over the years she was active in many tournaments including chairing the first Mohawk Golf Club Mixed Member Guest with her husband in 1965. She and her husband were also members of the senior gourmet dinner group at the Mohawk Golf Club. Mrs. Halsey and her husband had a beautiful Japanese pine tree from the Japanese emperor's garden in Tokyo planted in 1989 between the 18th and 9th greens at the Mohawk Golf Club. The tree has grown to over 30 feet tall. Mrs. Halsey was a volunteer for several not-for-profit organizations over the years including the PEO (Philanthropic Educational Organization), one of the pioneer societies for women. She and Mr. Halsey also spent many years living at the Glen Eddy Retirement Community in Niskayuna. Mrs. Halsey's family is grateful to Dr. Richard Toll and the aides and nurses who have provided such loving care to Harriet for the past several years. A Mass will be celebrated at The Zion Lutheran Church, 153 Nott Terrace in Schenectady on Wednesday at 11am. Calling hours will be from 3 pm to 5pm on Tuesday at the Jones Funeral Home, 1503 Union Street at McClellan Street, Schenectady. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ellis Hospital Foundation, Inc., (c/o Suzann Smart, 1101 Nott Street, Schenectady), Proctors Theater, (432 State Street, Schenectady), or The Zion Lutheran Church, (153 Nott Terrace, Schenectady).