Gertrude M. Caravaty, 98

LEE, Mass. — Mrs. Gertrude M. Caravaty, 98, died January 3, 2019, at Kimball Farms Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lenox.

Gertrude was born March 23, 1920, the daughter of Robert H. and Mary Ellen Manion Hayden. She was raised in Lee and educated in the Lee schools. She received her bachelor's degree in 1942 from the College of New Rochelle.

After college, Gertrude returned home to help her sister, Kathleen, run The Open Book Store in Pittsfield. After raising her family, she was a substitute teacher in Pittsfield. Gertrude was a devoted homemaker, mother and wife. She enjoyed cooking, decorating, and entertaining family and friends.

Gertrude was vivacious and charismatic with a flair for fashion.

Gertrude married Raymond Caravaty November 11, 1952, and was his loving wife for 47 years. Mr. Caravaty, a Professor Emeritus of Architecture at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and local architect, died in 1999.

Those left behind to cherish her memory are her son, Dr. Mark Caravaty of Clifton Park, N.Y. and Beverly Caravaty of Guilderland, N.Y.; her two daughters, Cathleen Edidin and husband Av of Portola Valley, Calif., and Rae Shanahan and husband Edward of Scituate, Mass.; her grandchildren, Alexandra Edidin, Kate Caravaty, Ivy Caravaty, Christopher Caravaty, Michael Shanahan and Matthew Shanahan; and her nieces and nephew, Ann Hare, Mardi Hayden, Mary Baker, Tom Walker, Robert McIntyre, Tom Hayden and Peter Baker.

Gertrude was predeceased by her sisters and brothers, Kathleen McIntyre, Marie Walker, Eleanor Baker, Marguerite Hayden, Dr. Thomas Hayden and Robert "Brogue" Hayden.

The family would like to thank the caregivers at Kimball Farms Life Care for their wonderful support during Gertrude's time there.

Funeral notice: Funeral services for Gertrude M. Caravaty will be held Wednesday, January 9, 2019, at 10 a.m. at St. Mary's Church in Lee with a Liturgy of Christian Burial celebrated by Rev. Brian McGrath, Pastor. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery. In keeping with her wishes there will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers memorial donations may be made to HospiceCare in the Berkshires, 877 South Street Suite 1W, Pittsfield, MA 01201.