Ella Mease of Schaghticoke, NY died peacefully at home on Saturday, surrounded by her loving family. She was 92 years old, and had lived a vibrant life filled with service and adventure.

Raised in North Adams, MA, Ella was certain that no place on earth could be more beautiful than the northeastern United States. That didn't keep her from traveling, though! Ella joined the Navy as a member of the WAVES and later in her life worked for the American Red Cross in many roles, including as a coordinator of on-the-ground disaster relief centers. She had fond memories of the people she served and those she served with in Houston, Jacksonville, New Orleans, New York City, Oklahoma City, Troy, and many communities in California, Puerto Rico, and Virginia - as recently as 2007.

Ella adored her family and constantly drove the circuit of homes to visit her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, always with a pie or a tray of brownies to share and a swimsuit tucked into her shoulder bag in case adventure beckoned. She loved her friends equally well, and enjoyed long lunches, quilting days, picnics, museums, plays, and concerts with them.

Community service was important to Ella, and she was intensely proud of her volunteer work as an usher at Saratoga Performing Arts Center and as a companion at Van Rensselaer Manor. Ella found joy in arranging outings throughout the capital district for residents of the nursing home until 2016, and she delighted in using the free passes earned from ushering to introduce her grandchildren to the New York City Ballet and Opera, and the Philadelphia Orchestra. Attending performances was one facet to her appreciation of art, but Ella also expressed her creativity through a broad variety of craft work: sewing wedding dresses, piecing and embroidering quilts, crocheting, making wire-wrapped jewelry, and fashioning dolls or toys or ornaments from any number of materials.

Ella is deeply loved and missed. She is survived by her children Bonnie Lee (Frederick) of Queensbury, NY, Charles Mease (Kathy) of Johnsonville, NY, David Mease (Tamie) of Schaghticoke, NY, and Donna Mease of Scotia, NY; her grandchildren Melissa Zambo (Clay) of Norwalk, CT, Rebecca Lee of Queensbury, NY, Carl Mease (Tess) of Lakewood, CO, Jessica Cole (Jason) of Johnsonville, NY, and Joshua Mease (Kristina) of Rensselaer, NY; her great-grandchildren Frederick, Liam, Rory, Hunter, and Taylor; her sister Millicent Newton of Schaghticoke, NY and brother Lawrence Haley of Phoenix, AZ; her nephews John Newton (Kit) of Valley Falls, NY and William Newton of Schaghticoke, NY; and her dear friend Susan Hurd of Albany, NY. She was pre-deceased by her parents Louis and Anna Haley, her brother Louis Haley, her brother-in-law Carl Newton, and her dear friends Red and Jeanne Wheeler and Millie White.

Her family is deeply grateful for the care and support Ella received from the teams at Albany Medical Center and The Community Hospice.

A memorial service will be held at Chase-Smith Family Funeral Homes, 173 Main St., Schaghticoke on Sunday, August 25, 2024 at 4:00pm with visiting prior to the service from 2-4:00.

In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in Ella's memory to the American Red Cross. (Seriously, you know her thoughts on indoor flowers!)

Online remembrances may be made at www.chasesmithfamily.com