Alvera Mahnken

Alvera Mahnken Alvera C. Mahnken, 92, died on January 10, 2021, after months of declining health and exposure to the Covid-19 virus. Alvera spent her childhood and young adulthood in Queens, New York. She and her beloved husband Richard lived for the next forty years in Huntington and Northport, Long Island where Alvera worked as head bookkeeper for the local Sears Roebuck store. After vacationing for many years in Greene County, Alvera and Rich moved permanently to Medway in 1992. Alvera was predeceased by Rich after 56 years of marriage. She was also predeceased by her father Henry Ossmann, mother Sadie Ossmann, brother Peter Ossmann, his wife Hilda Ossmann, her cherished niece Mary Ann Dusch -with whom she spent hours each week talking about everything under the sun, and her childhood friend of 85+ years, Ethel. Alvera truly loved and enjoyed all the dogs that shared her life - Patty, Mandy, Dutch, Moxie, and Buddy. Alvera leaves behind her nephew Frank and his wife Marilyn, her niece’s husband Tom and her grand-nephews, Eric, Chris, Brian and Kevin and their families. Alvera had a wonderful sense of humor and was always ready with a quick retort. She had overcome tragedy in her younger years with a positive outlook on life, thereafter always looking to brighter days ahead. Alvera lived by the mantra “what will be will be, I’m not going to worry about it.” In retirement, Alvera enjoyed volunteering with the Medway-Grapeville Fire Company’s Women’s Auxiliary alongside her husband, a dedicated Medway-Grapeville fireman. Alvera dearly loved her healthcare aides Melissa and Denise “like the daughters I never had” and her neighbor Marge, who did so much for her in the waning years after Rich’s death. Alvera’s family extends deep appreciation to her many caring neighbors and friends, the Medway-Grapeville Fire Company’s first responders and EMTs, and the Greenville and Coxsackie ambulance companies, all of whom were called to her home with increasing frequency to render aid. The family also expresses its sincere gratitude and admiration for the tender care Alvera received at St. Peter’s Hospital in the last weeks of her life, particularly acknowledging the staffs of 6 Pavilion, 5 McCauley and the Palliative Care team. Due to virus restrictions, an internet celebration of Alvera’s life will be held for family and friends at a later date. Donations in memory of Alvera Mahnken can be made to the Medway-Grapeville Fire Company’s Ladies’ Auxiliary (County Road 51, Hannacroix, NY 12087), or the Columbia-Greene Humane Society (111 Humane Society Road, Hudson, NY 12534). Condolences may be made at www.wcbradyssonsinc.net.