Elizabeth G Fogarty

Potsdam, NY

Elizabeth G. Fogarty, formerly of Potsdam, NY, passed away peacefully at St. Regis Nursing Home in Massena, NY. She was 98 years old. Elizabeth was born to Mary Rose Kohler Gallup and Harvey Wessel Gallup at New Bremen, NY. She graduated high school in 1944 from Lowville Academy, where she excelled in Latin and was a member of the National Honor Society. While in high school, she was selected as a delegate to the Empire Girls' State at Skidmore College in Saratoga Springs, NY. Elizabeth went on to attend business school at CCBI in Syracuse, NY. She began her career working as a secretary in the Department of Psychological Services at Syracuse University, followed by a decade-long position as secretary to the Superintendent of Schools at Lowville Academy. Later in life, she also served as interim secretary to the President of Canton-Potsdam Hospital.

Her family had a cottage at Brantingham Lake where they spent many summers. It was a beautiful and vibrant retreat which no doubt gave her a love for the Adirondack lakes and landscape. She also was an avid reader and had the good fortune to receive piano lessons as a young person. Eventually, she taught herself to sight-read music and to play by ear. Her Mother-in-law (who also played piano) bought an upright piano for their home at 17 Bradley Drive and it was not uncommon for her children and their friends to come home to Liz playing her favorite tunes! She continued playing piano well into her 90’s, and during her residency at Maplewood Assisted Living, she donated a piano to the facility as a legacy gift for future residents.

On July 5, 1952, Elizbeth married her high school sweetheart, Gerald A. Fogarty, at St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church in Lowville, NY. Remarkedly, whether by divine fate or astonishing coincidence, she and her husband were born on the exact same date. The young couple began their married life in Lowville, NY, where their first daughter was born. Soon afterward, they moved to Potsdam, NY, where they set down roots and eventually raised all five of their children. Gerald established a business, Potsdam Laundry & Dry Cleaners. Elizabeth acted as his secretary until the business was sold to the Demo family. The couple’s marriage spanned 55 years, until Gerald’s death in 2007.

Elizabeth was a former member and past president of the St. Mary's Parish Council in Potsdam; Chairwoman of the St. Lawrence County Republican Committee; member of the Potsdam Hospital Patient Advisory Council; and a member of AAUW Library Book Club. Once her children were grown, Elizabeth actively sought out opportunities to be of service in the community. As a Board member and then President of the Potsdam Housing Authority, Elizabeth played an instrumental role in forging a public-private partnership to

fund and expand affordable housing in the community, an achievement that aligned with her compassionate belief in providing services to those in need. Many in the community may best have known Liz as a long-standing Elections Inspector. To several generations of Potsdam voters, Liz was a consistent and familiar presence at the polls, working long hours on Election Days for more than 40 years.

Elizabeth was predeceased by her parents; her husband, Gerald A. Fogarty; and each of her siblings: Ellen Lorenzini, Jane Whitford and Walter Gallup. She is survived by her children: Anne Fogarty (William Calhoun); Mary Kay Hafer (Matt Hafer); William Fogarty (Donna Fogarty); Patricia Murphy (Bryan Murphy); and Julie Fogarty. She adored all eight grandchildren: Caitlyn (Hafer) Thomas, Elizabeth (Hafer) Taylor, Charlotte Allen, Patrick Allen, Sean Murphy, Vivienne Fogarty, Beatrice Fogarty, and Phoebe Fogarty, as well as her great-granddaughter, Claire Thomas. Liz was always in touch with her nieces and nephews, great nieces and great nephews. Elizabeth may best be remembered as someone who never met a stranger. She loved joking and conversing with all whom she met and was a sympathetic listener. She wrote beautiful cards/ letters and took an active interest in her extended family. She will be sorrowfully missed by friends, those who cared for her in her 90’s and most deeply by her family.

Arrangements are with the Garner Funeral Home in Potsdam, with calling hours on Friday May 9th from 4 pm– 7pm. A funeral mass will be held at 10am on Tuesday May 27th at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Lawrence Ave in Potsdam. Burial will take place at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery immediately following the service. Friends and family are invited to attend a luncheon at The Potsdam Elk’s Lodge around noon.

For those who knew and loved Elizabeth, expressions of condolences may be made by sending flowers (which she loved to receive) to Garner’s for either of the services or by donating to Hospice of St. Lawrence Valley, 6805 U.S. Highway 11, Potsdam, NY 13676.