Nancy J. Ellegate

ALBANY- Nancy J. Ellegate, 56, died suddenly at her home, Sunday, September 27, 2015. Born in Albany, she was the daughter of the late Emmett and Mary Frances (Johnson) Ellegate. Nancy received her undergrad & Master’s degree from McGill University. In some ways Nancy never left Canada as she spoke and shared in all things relating to Canada. She was employed as a Sr. Acquisitions Editor at SUNY Press in Albany for 26 years. Nancy initially began her work life at Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless where she found a true interest in people and their life challenges. She also developed relationships for herself among the staff who became her lifelong second chosen family. Nancy had a passion for cooking, reading, knitting and trivia and possessed an encyclopedic mind filled with a broad range of topics and factoids often shared around the dinner table with her friends. Nancy loved holiday celebrations decorating her home for each occasion, especially Halloween. She was a long time member worker at Honest Weight Food Coop. She donated her time, talents and funds to many causes. She loved all animals, especially her dear late cat Sheba. Nancy is survived by her beloved friend, Jeffrey Decker of Albany; her “usual suspect” friends; her aunt, Gail Ellegate; her cousins: R. Cheryl Flis, Carolyn (Tom) Marks, John (Jeanne) Ellegate, Grace Ellegate, Julie Rizzo-Ellegate (late Jim Ellegate), Leah (Jason) Lesch and their children & pets. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar on Thursday, October 1, 2015 from 4 to 7pm. A service of remembrance will be held at 6pm. A procession will form on Friday, at 10am at the funeral home and proceed to Onesquethaw Cemetery, Tarrytown Rd., Clarksville. Those who wish may make memorial contributions to Interfaith Partnership for the Homeless, 178 Sheridan Ave, Albany, NY 12210.