Elsie Marcella Arnold

Elsie Marcella Arnold died on October 21, 2013 after a long and happy life.

Born on January 23, 1927 in the Town of Wilton, she was a daughter of the late Frank H. and Hazel Mae (Varney) Petteys.  Marcy grew up on a small farm on Ballard Road and was a life-long area resident.  She attended the District No. 7 school in Gurn Spring, and was a graduate of Saratoga Springs High School, Class of 1945.  She was married to Ernest P. Arnold, Jr. on June 27, 1954.  Together, they enjoyed the simple pleasures of car rides, picnics, and county fairs.  Marcy worked as a clerk at the Skidmore Shop at both the old and new campuses.  She was a Cub Scout den mother, Girl Scout leader, volunteer with the American Red Cross, and a member of the Gurn Spring United Methodist Church, where she played the organ and sang in the choir.  She also played the piano, accordion, and harmonica. She enjoyed vacations with her daughter and son-in-law.  After her son Brian became a single dad in 2000, Marcy devoted the majority of her time to being a caregiver to her granddaughters until declining health prevented her from doing so.  A previous resident of Watkin Apartments, she enjoyed watching Lawrence Welk Show reruns with her buddy Ima Hayes, and spent many hours reading the Holy Bible.  For the past fifteen months she resided at the nursing home at Saratoga Hospital, where she thoroughly enjoyed the musical entertainment.  Blessed with a clear mind and generous spirit, “her glass was always half-full.”  Despite her health problems, she remained cheerful and courageous throughout her life, and appreciated the smallest kindness extended to her, whether it be a compliment, a stranger holding a door, or the taxi driver saving his newspaper for her.  She had a merry heart.

She was predeceased by her husband in 1981, by her brothers Kenneth, Dallas (“Stub”), Clifton, Curtis, Lawrence, and infant Louis Petteys, by her sisters, Dolores Timko, Leone (“Ruth”) Loveland, and Virginia Mahay, her long-time companion, Edward A. Dechants, and her sister-in-law, Annie M. Arnold with whom she resided for many years.  She is survived by her daughter, Sandra L. Arnold and husband Gary P. Bernhardt of Pattersonville, son Brian D. Arnold and granddaughters Bridgètte D. and Amanda N. Arnold, all of Saratoga Springs, nieces and nephews.

A celebration of her life will be held on Friday, October 25, 2013, at 11:00 AM at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Springs, New York.  Friends and family may call on Thursday, October 24, 2013 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM at the funeral home.  Burial will be in the John Ellsworth (Gurn Spring) Cemetery.

In her younger days, Marcy’s mode of transportation was a Harley Davidson motorcycle, but never having obtained her license to drive a car, she relied on the generosity of others for rides.  In her memory, you might consider offering a ride to someone in need.  Due to her bone marrow disorder, hundreds of blood donors gave Marcy - and all those who loved her - time and life.  If you can give blood, please do.  Memorial contributions may be made to the American Red Cross, P.O. Box 97089, Washington, DC, 20090, the Saratoga Care Nursing Home Resident Activity Fund, 211 Church Street, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866, or the charity of ones choice.