Obituary of Edwarda Ratajczak

Edwarda "Edie" Ratajczak passed away on May 28 2016 at the age 103. She was the oldest resident at the Edward L. Wilkinson RHCF, where she resided for a number of years. Edie was a happy, smiling person, and frequently entertained staff with her renditions of Polish folk songs. Prior to living at Wilkinson, Edie resided at Hillcrest Manor for two years. Edwarda was born in Schenectady NY on June 25, 1912 to Wanda (Adach) and Alexander Adamkiewicz. Her family moved to Amsterdam when she was a child, and she attended local schools until age 14. She worked in the finishing room at Mohawk Carpet Mills for 40 years, until the carpet company moved most of its operations South. Edwarda earned her GED in l965, then worked for the NYS Tax Department in Albany, retiring in 1982. Her husband Charles, died in November 2004. They were married 70 years. As a young couple, they sang in the church choir, enjoyed dancing, travel and card games. They were members of Horace Inman Senior Center in Amsterdam. Edwarda's family called her Aunt Edzi, and she was admired for her cooking and baking skills. For three decades, Edwarda and Charles hosted Christmas Eve family gatherings, providing happy memories for all who attended. Edwarda was the oldest member of St. Stanislaus Catholic Church. She was the last living sibling in her family. She had three sisters: Lucille Chmielewicz, Wanda Rocco, and Eleanor Urbelis, and one brother, Thedore Adamkiewicz. She is survived by her son Robert Ratazak of Ocala FL; grandchildren Charles Ratazak of Newport VT, Anthony Ratazak of Tarzana, CA and Cathryn Ratazak of Proctor, VT; daughter Barbara and son-in-law Walter "Buzz" Machold of Ocala FL; granddaughters Anne (David) Schuttig of Colorado Springs CO, Lynne Bard of North Charleston SC, and Jeanne (Dan) Landau of Los Angeles CA; great-grandchildren Samuel and Sarah Diamantopoulos, nieces, nephews, and cousins. A Graveside Service of Remembrance will be held on Sunday, June 19, 2016 at 12noon at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Amsterdam with the Rev. O. Robert DeMartinis officiating. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. Arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY. Please visit the online memorial at www.brbsfuneral.com