Lansingburgh - Mary Elizabeth Kitzrow (nee Kapsis), loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and cousin passed away on Monday, June 15, 2009, at Northwoods Nursing Facility in Lansingburgh, NY. She was 85. Born in Chicago, IL to Anthony and Catherine (Brown) Kapsis, Mary attended Chicago schools and received an Associates degree from Wright Junior College. She worked as a dancer before she met and married Erwin while working at the University of Chicago Library. After their first child Martha was born, they lived in Lake Geneva, WI, in the little red house where Fred, Chris, Tim, Jamie and Mary were born. They then relocated to Troy, NY, in 1964 where Jerry was born. Mary, Erwin and their family moved to Albany, NY in 1970. Mary worked at the Schaffer Medical Library at CDPC in Albany before they moved to Port Washington, NY, in 1980 where she then worked at the Port Washington Public Library until her retirement in 1988. She and Erwin lived in Stillwater, NY, and then Ballston Lake, NY, where they remained until Erwins death in 2004. While in Troy, Mary was on the YWCA Board and active in their social committee. She was a strong supporter of Civil Rights her whole life. She was an accomplished sewer and created many Halloween costumes over the years that are now being handed down to her grandchildren. She fostered her love and enjoyment of the arts, including Shakespeare, ballet, stage and music in all her children and grandchildren. She was always ready to read a book to a little one. She made all the holidays (especially Christmas) joyous and magical, baking cookies, involving her children in decorating the house and especially loved making each birthday special. She was on the Altar Guild of the Cathedral of All Saints, in Albany, NY, and a communicant there as well as at Bethesda Episcopal Church in Saratoga Springs, NY. In addition to her parents, Mary was predeceased by her devoted husband of 51 years, Erwin H. Kitzrow, her beloved oldest sister, Anne Porter, and her oldest brother, Cosmo (Joe) Kapsis (Frances). She leaves behind many who will mourn her loss. Survivors include her older sister, Alexandria Jessen of Chicago, IL; her youngest sister and best friend, Ellen Reidda (Phil) of Highland Park, IL; her adored youngest brother, Anthony Kapsis (Anita) of Bloomfield CT; and her loving brother-in-law, Richard E. Kitzrow of Venice, CA. Mary also leaves behind several cousins and many nieces and nephews. She was loving mother and grandmother of Martha A. Kitzrow (Dennis Scarnecchia) of Moscow, ID; Frederick R. Kitzrow (Maureen McLeod) and their sons, Ryne and Andrew of Delmar, NY; Erwin Christopher Kitzrow (Irene) and their son Nicholas of Albany, NY; Timothy L. Kitzrow (Kirsten Suhs) of Chicago, IL; Tims son, Jared Grogan, of Madison, WI; James T. Kitzrow (Lisa Schwartz) and their daughter, Hannah of North Albany, OR; Mary H. Eiffe (Patrick) and their children, Elizabeth and Rory, of Schenectady, NY; Gerald P. Kitzrow (Debbie Clearwater) and their children, Quinn, Campbell and Griffin, of Beacon, NY. Funeral services will be 8:30am Friday, June 19, 2009 at Bethesda Episcopal Church, Washington St., Saratoga Springs. Burial will be in the family plot at Greenridge Cemetery, Lincoln Ave. In lieu of flowers those wishing to make a donation in her memory may do so to Bethesda Episcopal Church, 41 Washington St. Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 or to The Hortense and Louis Rubin Center, Inc., 1850 Peoples Ave. Troy, NY 12180. The family would like to thank all those at the Rubin Dialysis Center, Northwoods Nursing Facility and various area hospitals that were so helpful and kind to Mary and her family. Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes of 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373). Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com