Edith B. Gerhardt

GUILDERLAND – Edith Bender Gerhardt (September 14, 1922 to September 7, 2013), beloved mother and wife of 69 years to Rev. Arthur H. Gerhardt was called to her heavenly home.

Edith was a remarkable woman of faith and a devoted servant of the Lord. In service to the Lord, working side by side with her beloved husband, she was a children’s choir director, Sunday school teacher, organist, and President of the Ladies Guild among many other church roles.

Her proudest accomplishment was her family and the raising of six children.  Edith enjoyed spending time with her family and often entertained them with poetry she had learned in her youth.  She was an avid reader of history, the family historian and photographer, an amateur bird watcher, enjoyed playing the piano, doing crossword puzzles, as well as sewing and quilting.  Edith had a passion for gardening and tended her flowers and vegetable gardens well into her 80’s.   She found great joy in raising her voice to praise the Lord with her fellow brothers and sisters in Christ as a member of the Jubilate Singers, as well as a member of various church choirs including the Delmar Senior Chorus.

Besides her many community and church activities, she found time to serve on the Albany Medical Center (AMC) Ladies Auxiliary as a member and as President.  She volunteered for various organizations including the American Red Cross and Cancer Foundation.  Edith was the executive secretary to the president of AMC for twenty years.  At the age of 62, she proudly graduated from Empire State College with her B.S. degree. 

She is survived by her husband, Arthur and predeceased by her eldest daughter, Grace Gerhardt. Surviving children include daughters Jocelin Hamblett, Lois Wilke Gerhardt, Dori Gerhardt and husband, Anthony Maione and her sons Stephen Gerhardt and wife, Marie and David Gerhardt and wife, Harumi.  Edith was also blessed with nine grandchildren: Philip (wife Michele), Erich (wife Emily), Adam (wife Shawna), Anna, Graham, Gabriel, Nathaniel, Marigrace, and Isaiah and three great-grandchildren Benjamin, Kate and Cooper.

Calling hours will be at Hans Funeral Home located at 1088 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203 on Thursday, September 12, 2013 from 4 pm to 7 pm.  A funeral service and celebration of life will be held at Christ Lutheran Church, 1500 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203 on September 13, 2013 at 10 am.

In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to the Community Hospice of Albany County, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205 or the Alzheimer Resource Center, Albany Medical Center, 47 New Scotland Ave, MC 65, Albany, NY 12208.  To leave a message of condolence for the family, send a sympathy card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.