Nancy A. Schrader

October 8, 1930 - March 20, 2024

Nancy Schrader, 93, of Salisbury Mills, NY, passed away in the late afternoon of March 20, 2024, after a brief stay in the hospital. In the days leading up to her passing, she was surrounded by loved ones.

Nancy Ann Kraiza was born and raised in Salisbury Mills, NY. When she was 16 years old, she met Edwin Schrader, the love of her life. They shared a beautiful marriage for 64 years, and together they built a home and raised a family of six children. Nancy was a natural homemaker and loved tending to her house and gardens. She took great pleasure in feeding and watching the wildlife that visited her property, especially the birds. It was her good fortune to live out her days in the home that Ed built, as she had so greatly wished.

Nancy was known as an incredibly hard worker. People marveled at how she could maintain such a clean and tidy home while managing a large family, preparing wonderful meals for family and friends, and working outside the home at various positions throughout her life. Nancy holds the distinction of being the first postal carrier for the small hamlet of Salisbury Mills, making its first-ever mail delivery on Saturday, July 22nd, 1961. She also worked as the bookkeeper for the family construction business and co-managed a dry cleaning business. It was a point of pride for Nancy that she worked at the dry cleaning business for 36 years and only ever missed one day of work.

Inspired by meeting Eleanor Roosevelt, Nancy took a great interest in politics. She had the opportunity to meet Robert Kennedy, and attended a lunch with John F Kennedy while working to support his campaign. She even launched her own bid for Tax Collector of the Town of Blooming Grove. Nancy’s community involvement also included serving as a troop leader for the Girl Scouts and volunteering for many years as a member of the Ladies Auxiliary to the Salisbury Mills Fire Company. Some summers, Nancy and Ed hosted children who were part of the New York City Fresh Air Fund.

More than anything, Nancy was devoted to her family and never tired of hearing and sharing news about her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. No matter how large the family grew, she never missed a birthday. She loved the holidays, especially Christmas, and delighted in finding gifts for every member of the family, spanning three generations. She was also a second mother to some, enriching their lives through her kindness and generosity. Her home was a gathering place where everyone was welcome and everyone wanted to be. Nancy was deeply loved by many and will be greatly missed.

Nancy is survived by five children: Christine Miller (Pat); Cathy Augello (David); Edwin Schrader (Bernice); Charlene Schrader; and David Schrader (Kristina). Additionally, she leaves behind 14 grandchildren: Tabitha LoPresto-Bachman, Joe Martucci, Jordan Miller, Heather Baty, Mallory Miller, Steven Augello, Scott Schrader, Jonathan Miller, Brian Augello, Lauren Schrader, Jackson Doehla, Zach Schrader, Nick Schrader, and Noelle Schrader. She is also survived by: 16 great-grandchildren; sister, Judy Hicks (Dan); sisters-in-law Sally Brown (Mike) and Joyce Kraiza; brother-in-law Steve Myers; and many nieces and nephews. Nancy was predeceased by her husband, Edwin Schrader, and daughter, Cheri Schrader. She was also predeceased by sisters Elizabeth Kraiza, Barbara Kraiza, Jane Myers, and Elsie Stenglein, and brother Carl Kraiza.

A visitation will be held Friday, March 29, 2024, from 3 PM to 7PM at David T Ferguson Funeral Home, 20 North Street, Washingtonville, NY, 10992. A funeral service will occur on Saturday, March 30, 2024, at 10:30 AM, also at 20 North Street, Washingtonville, NY. Burial will follow at Bethlehem Cemetery, 1520 Route 94, New Windsor, NY.

Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or The National Audubon Society.