On January 1st., 2024 Gretel VanZandt-Balintfy age 89, formally of Fulton, NY passed away peacefully while residing at Violet Gardens ALF Port St Lucie, Fla with staff by her side. Gretel was born in Boston Mass., and then relocated to Granville, NY with her family. Gretel’s grandparents were Immigrants from Wales only to relocate to Vt. and eventually Granville, NY where they owned and operated for years The Slate Quarry. Gretel graduated High School in 1953 and then received her Associates in Early Childhood Education and Teaching Degree from SUNY Cobleskill College, NY in 1955. Gretel married Lawrence R. Westerlund Sr. in Schenectady, NY where she met him. They both continued to reside there, after their marriage, on 6/8/1957. While living in Schenectady, Gretel had an enchanting and captivating voice that led her to become a member of The International Prestigious Sweet Adeline’s Chorus Group. Gretel was also a singer for The Quartet “Keytones” consisting of four women who won 1st place in Regional Quartet Competition in 1962, Derry, NH. Gretel and her husband Lawrence moved to Pulaski, NY. where she became employed by the Pulaski Central School System as an Elementary Teacher, which fulfilled her. She also worked at Teds Jewelry; as a salesclerk for years while also raising 2 sons and a daughter by herself, due to a divorce on 02/07/1970. Gretel continued to be an active member of The St James Episcopal Church in Pulaski and sang with the Chorus. Gretel met George Balintfy of Baldwinsville, who courted her and eventually the two married on 10/11/1986 and relocated to Fulton, NY. There, Gretel became a housewife and continued to sing throughout the years at her Parish, The All Saints Episcopal Church in Fulton, NY., serving in the past on the vestry. She was a member of the Phoenix Senior Citizens Club and enjoyed their various outings and friendships made. She was also a member of St David’s Welch Society of Liticia and the Slate Valley Museum of Granville NY. In 1995 Gretel presented a scrap book, to the Museum of the family’s history and of their Slate making in the valley. She kept fond memories of her visit to Wales in Sept 2004 and found where her grand & great grandparents immigrated from. Having such an interest in genealogy, Gretel was able to learn a great deal about her Welch descent and had a Coat of Arms Plaque made of her grandmother’s last name Owens! Gretel was an extremely accomplished seamstress and had sold multiple handmade quilts. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, sang with the church choir, and friend who loved to entertain. She enjoyed Camping with her husband George and her two Siamese cats up and down the eastern coastline. She was an avid bird watcher, cat lover and going on guided Botanical Garden Tours, watching H.S. Musicals, listening to Christian music, writing to her friends.
Gretel had an eye for collecting antique prints, coins, furniture, steins, dolls, China and whatever caught her eye. Preceded in death by her parents Earl B VanZandt and Charlotte, E Owens, and one brother, Dirk VanZandt, ex-husband Lawrence R Westerlund Sr, and husband George Balintfy. Gretel is survived by her children Lori Westerlund-Casamento of Syracuse, NY and husband, Frank; 2 grandsons, Philip Casamento and wife Lauren, great granddaughter, Tessa of NC; and grandson, Caleb Casamento, of Syracuse. Son, Peter Westerlund of Sandy Creek, NY, and son, Lawrence Westerlund of Hastings, NY and wife Susan Pawling-Westerlund; 1 granddaughter, Alisha Westerlund and Joe Dejesus, of N. Syracuse, NY; 1 grandson, Alex Westerlund and wife Brittany Sikora-Westerlund, great grandson, Mason and great granddaughter, Elena of Altmar, NY and niece, Skye VanZandt of NM, nephews, Kim of NM and Sean VanZandt Fla., and many great friends; Jean & Rich Schefield of New Port Richie, Fla; Mary Hall of Fulton, NY; Muriel Webb of NC; Rosie Lawrence of Floral City, Fla.
Per Gretel’s request there will be no calling hours.
Funeral Services will be private and to be held at The Mettowee Valley Cemetery, Granville, NY at the convenience of the family in the spring 2024.
Donations may be made to the following: Slate Valley Museum 17 Water Street, Granville, NY 12832. (518) 642-1417 or Oswego County SPCA-OCAWL 621 E. Seneca St., Oswego, NY 13126 (315) 297-4900
The family would like to express our thanks and sincere gratitude, to Violet Gardens ALF of Port St Lucie, Fla where she had been a resident since April 3rd, 2023, Staff; Mrs. Marvia McFarlane RN/ Director/ Owner of West Palm Bach. Fla., Mrs. Jean Gayle of Fort Pierce, Fla., Mrs. Kashiri Griffiths-Thorne of West Palm Bach., Fla., Mr. Christopher Thorne of West Palm Bach., Fla. and resident Ms. Brenda Kelvey formally of Manhattan, NYC. We are very grateful for your loving, nurturing, empathetic professional care, that you have given not only to Gretel throughout this past year, but all the other residents too!
There truly would be no other facility, we would have ever considered placing our mother than at Violet Garden’s ALF, in Port St. Lucie, FL.
