Obituary of Eileen M. Garber

EILEEN M.  GARBER

LATHAM – Eileen M. Garber, 80, passed away peacefully on January 18, 2024 at Albany Medical Center Hospital with her loving husband, Harry, at her side.  

Born in Amsterdam, NY on August 8, 1943, she was the daughter of the late Ralph and Catherine Califano.  Eileen graduated from the former Wilbur H. Lynch High School in Amsterdam.  While in school, she would often help her parents at their local business, Califano's Food Market.  Eileen would go on to earn her BS from SUNY Oneonta and her MS from SUNY Albany.  She was then employed as an elementary school teacher for many years in the Greater Amsterdam School District.  Later, she was employed as a sales associate in the women's clothing departments of Jordan Marsh in Guilderland and JCPenney in Latham (here she earned a Customer Service Award).  

Eileen found joy in vacations with her family in the Catskills, Maine, and Florida.  She excelled at several dance forms (tap, ballet, square, and aerobic).  She was an avid NY Giants football fan.  She relished in playing racquetball with/against her friends.  She enjoyed driving her inferno red PT Cruiser and was a whiz at crossword puzzles.  She was a gifted artist, especially drawing and painting.  She signed her later works "Avelena", the name her grandfather called her as a child.  She was a skilled miniature golfer, scoring many holes in one.  She looked forward to her issue of People Magazine arriving each Friday and loved watching romance movies (especially Hallmark), but more recently those made in foreign countries. She will be forever missed and eternally loved and cherished by those whose lives she touched.

In addition to her parents Eileen was predeceased by her brother Anthony.  

She is survived by her husband Harry, her brother Arthur (Edwina) of West Greenwich, RI, her sister-in-law Christine Califano of Naperville, IL, seven nieces, and one nephew.  

Eileen's family wishes to extend their heartfelt thanks to Colonie EMS and Albany Medical Center Hospital for the care they provided Eileen during her final days on Earth.

Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend calling hours on Tuesday, January 30th, 2024 from 3:00 to 6:00 PM at The Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Rd., Latham.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Reverend Brian Kelly on Wednesday, January 31st, 2024, 10:30 AM at St. Ambrose Church, 347 Old Loudon Rd., Latham.
Rite of Committal and interment to follow the mass in the family plot of St. Michael the Archangel Cemetery, Amsterdam.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to a charity of your choice.

For further information or to leave a condolence message for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.