Obituary of Henrietta E. Cleary

Altamont, NY – Henrietta Elizabeth Dunne Cleary – “Etta” Cleary, long-time resident of Altamont Oaks passed away peacefully early on Saturday morning, June 6, 2020 at Albany Medical Center surrounded by her loved ones. Etta was born at home in the Bronx NY on September 27, 1926 to Anna Violet Johannis and Thomas Stanley Dunne. Etta’s pleasant childhood memories included picnics on the Bronx River alongside the waterfalls, afternoons at the Botanical Garden, an apartment on Marion Avenue and attending Walton High School -- where she met her best friend, Rosemary Cleary. During World War II, Etta worked in the Navy Department Procurement Office in Manhattan and volunteered at the USO. Viewing a photograph of her best friend’s handsome brother in uniform, Etta secretly fell in love with William P. Cleary, planning to meet and marry him once the war ended. On November 23, 1947, Will and Etta were married in Transfiguration R.C. Church, Brooklyn, NY. They remained happily married for forty-four years until his death in 1991. During her life, Etta juggled many roles including that of mother, housewife, Mother’s Club president, scout leader, cookie mom, and real estate. As her children grew older, Etta made time to attend classes at Community College. In later years, Etta was a Eucharistic Minister and volunteered at the Guilderland Nursing Home and Christ the King Church. She was a member of the Altamont Ladies Auxiliary at the VFW. Her life was rewarded through her service and friendliness. Etta was always giving small inexpensive gifts to those she encountered. Celebrating Etta’s life are her children, Catherine and John Wojewoda of Voorheesville NY, William and Joan O’Brien Cleary of Daytona Beach, FL, Daniel and Judy Knouse Cleary of Guilderland NY, and Thomas and Karin Melsopp Cleary of Northbridge, MA; grandchildren John Wojewoda Jr, Stacy Silcock, Anne Wojewoda, William Cleary, Erin Warner, Danielle Fleckenstein, Colleen De Gisi and Rebecca Cleary; and great-grandchildren John III and Lillian Wojewoda, John III (Jack) Silcock, Patrick and Sloane Cleary, Charlotte, Lillian and Wesley Warner, Claire, Henry and James Fleckenstein and Elio and Allegra De Gisi. Memorial gifts may be made to the Salvation Army at www.salvationarmy.org.