Obituary of Gertrude P. Saikal

Gertrude P. Szymczyk Saikal, 78, died Friday morning at St. Mary?s Hospital in Amsterdam. She was a life long resident of Eagle Street, Amsterdam, until moving to the Montgomery Meadows in Amsterdam in 2004. Born February 11, 1927, in Amsterdam, New York, she was the daughter of Alexander and Stanislawa Zadrojna Szymczyk. She graduated from Wilbur H. Lynch High School in 1945, where she was a member of the Chi Sigma Theta Sorority. Gertrude was a homemaker and employed as a telephone operator for many years. She was a communicant of St. Casimir?s Roman Catholic Church in Amsterdam and a member of the St. Casimir?s Ladies Auxiliary. Gertrude was an avid bowler in several leagues in Amsterdam. She was also a dedicated Buffalo Bills fan. She was married in 1961, to Albert Tarz Saikal, who died February 8, 1993. Survivors include her; three sons, William Saikal and his wife Stacy of Lake Worth, Florida, Timothy Saikal of Perth, NY and John Saikal and his wife Laura of Tribes Hill, NY; a daughter, Lisa Garrison and her husband Frank of Edgewater, Florida; a sister, Jean Murdico Lindgren of Amsterdam; a sister- in- law, Madeline Simcik of Newton, PA; seven grandchildren, Austin and Alec Saikal, Brandon and Tyler Garrison, McKenzie, Alexa and Samantha Saikal; one step grandson, Jonathan Trzaskas; several nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Gertrude was predeceased by a daughter, Colleen Saikal and a brother Dr. Casimir Simcik. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday October 11, 2005 at 8:15 a.m. at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial to be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. at St. Casimir?s Roman Catholic Church, East Main Street, Amsterdam with the Rev. Stanislaus J. Swierzowski as celebrant. Burial will take place at St. Stanislaus Cemetery. The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. A Legacy Candle Ceremony will be held that evening at 6:45 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Gertrude?s memory to a charity of ones choice.