Olive F. Gerstel

Stephentown – Olive F. Engwer Gerstel, 88, of Garfield Road, Stephentown, NY, died on Thursday evening, November 25, 2010, at the Williamstown Commons in Williamstown, MA, surrounded by her loving family.
Born February 16, 1922, in Poestenkill, NY, she was the daughter of the late Rudolph and Florence Bott Engwer. She was the loving wife of the late Adolph J. Gerstel, who died on January 12, 1966.
A lifelong area resident, Olive attended Averill Park, NY, schools and was a member of the Zion United Church of Christ in Taborton. In her earlier years she worked for her father and brother in the family business, Engwer Bros. Floral. She worked for many years in the Central Service Department of the Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, MA, retiring in 1997.
Survivors include her children, Linda C. Barry of Easton, PA, Gary R. and wife Pam Gerstel of Berlin, NY, and Deborah and husband Frank Zwack of Stephentown, her daughters-in-law, Suann Gerstel of Stephentown and Sharon Gerstel of Windham, ME, her siblings, Raymond Engwer of Averill Park, Alice Vanderbogart of West Stephentown, NY, Eileen Jannson of Averill Park, twelve grandchildren and eleven great-grandchildren. She is pre-deceased by two sons, Donn and Wayne Gerstel, and a brother, Henry Engwer.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, November 30, at 11 am in the Hall & Higgins Funeral Home, 457 NY 43, Stephentown, where Rev. Robert Loesch officiated. Interment followed in the Garfield Cemetery in Stephentown.
Relatives and friends were invited to visitation at the funeral home on Monday from 4 to 7 pm. Memorial contributions may be made to either the Stephentown Volunteer Fire Department or the Stephentown Rescue Squad in loving memory of Olive F. Gerstel.