Hazel Marie Witecki

Niskayuna – Hazel Marie Witecki passed away on Thursday, June 11th, 2020 at her home of 69 years in Niskayuna. She was 98. Hazel was born in Albany, NY to her parents, the late William and Minnie (Spicer) Woods. Hazel had a 34-year career with Schenectady International, formerly Schenectady Chemical; and for the last 12 of those years she served as personal assistant to the president of the company. Hazel loved gardening, specifically tending to her rose and perennial gardens. She also enjoyed baking and travelling. Her trips included several European vacations as well as her time at Cape Cod, Maine, the Carolinas and Hawaii – she loved the ocean. Hazel was a woman of her word. When she said she was going to do something, she took care of business: You could count on it. Whether the moment required a simple task or a Herculean effort, she was always up to it. In those moments, when the hour of need reached its crescendo, Hazel defined herself, with distinction. Hazel is survived by her children, Glenn J. Witecki and Mark D. Witecki (David G. Duerr), her grandson, Henry J. Witecki (Emily) and her great grandson, Ocean F. Witecki. She also leaves behind her sister, Dorothy Mallory of Bennington, Vermont. Besides her parents, Hazel was predeceased by her husband, Henry J. Witecki, brother, William Woods and sister, Lillian Woods. Funeral services for Hazel will be private. Interment will take place at St. Adalbert’s Cemetery in Rotterdam. Tribute to Hazel Marie Witecki: 08-06-1921 to 06-11-2020: Mom, Just now as you fall into your final sleep I find myself going back over things I sit in the living room picturing visitors on holidays-- There is my grandpa Peter savoring a dose of whiskey as he lifts his shot glass high and fast --you will soon travel to the other side where he has gone, to view things from that perspective. And your sister Dorothy and her Chet weaving remembrances of what they have been up to lately, one filling in the details that the other has left out. Dorothy, now the last of her generation, will mourn you. Dorothy tells of how you and she took the trolley into work in Albany back in the 40's, where she dutifully and punctually awaited the train. And as it pulled up you often came leaping off the porch steps in your heels to run and catch it: When the trolley driver turned to Dorothy to ask "Who Is that girl always running late", Dorothy replied. "I don't know" . Outside I recall a flower filled yard on a perfect summer evening with friends and colleagues gathered to celebrate your new flagstone patio and fancy wrought iron furniture that went on to host cookouts, sunbathing, birds at the feeder and laughter. But 98 is apparently your number and 99 will not come to pass, so says your disobedient body as it ignores your commands to do as you wish. Even in your 70's you strutted through the malls in your stilettos at a pace that I had to strive to keep up with. Your energy and drive were something to behold. There was nothing you had that you would not share with your sons and your grandson to sustain and nourish them. But time can be cruel and so it has been lately, robbing you of all of these memories. You have wanted to leave for a while now. But nature was not ready to let you go. I Bid you a peaceful exit to where your man has awaited you for 40 years now. I recall that when gas was rationed during the war he bought gas on the black market to drive to see you. And when a neighbor turned him in to the authorities and he couldn't get the gas anymore, he rigged a motor onto a bicycle so he could traverse the 20 miles between you. That is a love story for the ages! I have paid visit to him recently at the cemetery to let him know to be ready to welcome you soon. I'll see you on down the line... Glenn