Esther Leeming Tuttle (1911 – 2015)
CHATHAM—Esther “Faity” Leeming Tuttle of Kinderhook died Thursday, July 9, 2015 at Camphill Village Ghent surrounded by family and loved ones. She was a Broadway actress, author and “The Best Granny Ever.” She was 104.
She was born July 1, 1911 in New Canaan, CT. She was proud of her education from the Warrenton Country School in Warrenton, Virginia where she learned French “with a Parisian accent” and horseback riding. Her acting career began in New York City in the 1930s appearing on Broadway with Humphrey Bogart, Leslie Howard and in summer stock with Henry Fonda. She played various characters in the 1939 World’s Fair. A long-time member of The Snarks, Ltd., she performed at the Amateur Comedy Club in New York City. Featured in the New York Times as a centenarian, she was recently in a BBC documentary on how to live a long active life. As a granny model, she enjoyed appearing in commercials, print ads and magazines like the Rolling Stone, Shape and Vogue. She appeared on Law and Order, the Conan O’Brien and the David Letterman shows, and in movies including Cher’s Moonstruck and Julia Roberts’ film Mona Lisa. Her memoir co-authored with Rebecca Greer, No Rocking Chair For Me was written in 2003.
Mrs. Tuttle was a dedicated volunteer. She was chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden for seven years, an active member of the New York Chapter of the Colonial Dames of America, Mrs. Field’s Literary Society and The Cosmopolitan Club. She divided her time between New York City and her 200-year-old farmhouse in Kinderhook. Her house was the home of Jesse Merwin, the prototype for Washington Irving’s Ichabod Crane. Her contributions upstate included serving on the board of the Shaker Museum and Library for 25 years. She was active in the Columbia County Historical Society, Friends of the Kinderhook Memorial Library and Old Chatham Hunt Club. She enjoyed riding horses and driving carriages until she was 89, yoga every morning, sipping martinis overlooking her ponds and being with her family.
She was predeceased by her husband, Franklin Benjamin Tuttle, her daughter, Mary Debye-Saxinger and her grandson, Christopher Tuttle.
She is survived by: her sons, Woodruff Leeming Tuttle (Dawn), Frank James Tuttle (Nora) and son-in-law, Norwig Debye-Saxinger (Michele), all of Kinderhook. She is also survived by 10 grandchildren, Benjamin Tuttle (Sally), Thomas Tuttle (Mila), Tamzine Noxon (Steven), Elizabeth Carroll (Robert), Jefferson Tuttle; Gerhard Debye-Saxinger (Amy), Honor Taft (Douglas), Peter Debye-Saxinger, Maria Counts (Christopher) and Tristan Debye-Saxinger; 23 great-grandchildren, a great-great-granddaughter and several nieces and nephews.
A memorial service will be held at the Dutch Reformed Church, Kinderhook July 18, 2015 at 10 a.m. followed by interment at the family cemetery on Faity’s Lane and a reception at the Merwin Farm House. A memorial service at the Brooklyn Botanic Garden will be at a future date. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, 1000 Washington Avenue, Brooklyn 11225.
Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie.
Frances H. Mabb (1929 – 2015)
PHILMONT—On July 12, 2015 “our family lost our best friend, mentor, our mom, Frances H. Mabb. She went home to be with our lord and the loved ones who have gone before her.”
She is survived by: her loving husband of 56 years, Roland J. Mabb, Sr.; her two sons, Duane E Mabb, Roland J. Mabb, Jr.; her daughter, Christene L. Smart; her eight grandchildren, Melanie, Danielle, Megan, Merideth, Alysha, Jacob and Rebecca. She was predeceased by her grandson, Shane. “As we walk through our days she will be in our hearts and minds. So fly high angel and watch over us. Dasadat.”
As per her wishes there will be no services or calling hours.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Lung Association. Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie.
Ronald K. Meltz, Jr. (1986 – 2015)
ALBANY—Ronald K. Meltz, Jr., 29, of Claverack, passed away Friday, July 10, 2015 at Albany Medical Center following a July 9 motorcycle accident in Claverack.
Born May 10, 1986 in Hudson, he was the beloved son of Sandra (Chamberlain) Meltz Charron and Ronald K. Meltz, Sr.
He was employed at Northeastern Auto Coach in Hudson doing body work. He also worked for East Coast Customs. Mr. Meltz loved riding quads and motorcycles and working on cars. He was an excellent mechanic.
Mr. Meltz was “well-liked by everyone.” He was a great son, brother, friend, and devoted father to his son, Keith Meltz. He will be missed by his family and friends.
In addition to his parents, Mr. Meltz is survived by: his step-father, Albert Charron, Jr.; his son, Keith Meltz; his grandparents, Emil and Betty Lou Meltz; his fiancée, Adrianne Finkle; his brothers, Bryson Meltz and Jonathan Meltz; step-sisters, Melody Kelly and Tricia Chamberlain; step-brothers, Albert Charron and Richard Charron; his best friend, Dalton Sashs; several aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
He was predeceased by his grandfather, Ron Decker, and his grandmother, Carol Chamberlain.
Visiting hours are 3 to 5 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday, July 14 at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson,.
Services will be conducted Wednesday, July 15, 10 a.m. at the funeral home. Burial will be in the Mellenville Union Cemetery.
Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave a special message for the family.
