Phyllis Ada (Shoddy) Groesbeck

Feura Bush - Phyllis Ada (Shoddy) Groesbeck, age 81 of Clarksville, was called to heaven on September 6, 2021 with her family by her side. Born on July 6, 1940, she was the daughter of Henry G. Shoddy Sr. and Iola P. (Hotaling) Shoddy. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her brothers Richard K. (Vicky) Shoddy and Gerald F. (Harriet) Shoddy and many beloved four-legged companions. Phyllis attended Bethlehem Central Schools beginning with a one room schoolhouse in Clarksville, worked for the NYS Department of Labor for 37 years, and was a lifelong member of the Clarksville Community Church. She spent her entire life in the Clarksville area, where she enjoyed participating in community activities with family and friends. Family meant the world to Phyllis; she was the most supportive and loving grandmother, aunt, and BEST MOM EVER! She loved us all unconditionally and couldn’t have been prouder of us. She attended numerous school events, concerts, recitals, and sporting events and never asked for anything in return. She was a true grandmother – playing board games, ice skating, sleigh riding, baking, and picking May Flowers were just a few activities she shared with her family. She spent many summers working behind the scenes while her granddaughters showed beef cattle at the Altamont Fair. Phyllis went out of her way to help others – inviting various individuals to dinner, donating to various charities, baking sweet treats for everyone, and helping family in many ways. She felt no one should be alone, go hungry or be cold. She also enjoyed the holidays immensely – Easter, Halloween, and Christmas in particular. On more than one occasion she would show up at Clarksville Elementary School in a Halloween costume to surprise her loved one. She was also known for the occasional prank – cardboard ‘bologna’ sandwiches on April Fool’s Day or raw ‘hard boiled’ colored eggs on Easter. She was a loving, caring soul who looked forward to a reunion with loved ones who had gone before her knowing this was not the end of her life, but a transition and continuation. Those who love her know her kind and gentle spirit will live with us forever. Phyllis is the cherished mother of Denise Shoddy; the devoted grandmother of Ashley (Jonathan) Brainard and Morgan Moak; and the beloved sister of Henry G. (Joan) Shoddy Jr. She is also survived by her husband Charles M. Groesbeck, her stepdaughters, Celeste Van Dyke, Denise (Bradley) Joslyn, Cheryl Lynch and Donna (Scott) VanHoesen; her step-grandchildren Becky, Maria, Nicole, Amanda, Sierra, Cheyenne, Wyatt, Danielle, Heather and Leann; several step great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. Calling hours for family and friends will be held on September 9, 2021 from 4:00 pm to 7:00 pm at the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany, NY 12206. Please only enter the funeral home from the rear parking lot doorway; unvaccinated individuals must wear a mask and practice social distancing. Funeral services will be held on September 10, 2021 at 10:00 at Clarksville Community Church, 1997 Delaware Turnpike, Clarksville, NY 12041 followed by burial in the Onesquethaw Union Cemetery, 1889 Tarrytown Road, Feura Bush, NY 12067. Those wishing to remember Phyllis in a special way can make memorial contributions to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands, NY 12204; the Onesquethaw Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box E, 2178 Tarrytown Road, Clarksville, NY 12041; or the Clarksville Community Church, 1997 Delaware Turnpike, Clarksville, NY 12041. To leave Phyllis’s family a message on their guestbook, obtain directions, or view other helpful services, please visit www.mcveighfuneralhome.com

Tributes

Phyllis Ada (Shoddy) Groesbeck

July 6, 1940 - September 6, 2021