MECHANICVILLE – Ellen M Stiles-Calabrese, 79, of Mechanicville passed away on April 21, 2024 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was a retired Rural Letter Carrier with the United States Postal Service out of Ballston Spa and then Malta Branch; after retirement she worked a few summers at the Saratoga Racetrack betting windows.
Born on September 17, 1944 in Saratoga Springs, she was the daughter of the late Stuart Stiles and Virginia White Stiles.
Ellen was a proud member of the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge #161 for almost three years. Ellen was an Inner Guard, an appointed position, and was recently chosen as the “Officer of the Year” a well-earned honor. She loved being a member and was proud of the support and help the Elks gave our community. She was current President of the Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge #161 Ladies Auxiliary, as well as a member of the Principessa Elena Society and the Eagles Club of Saratoga Springs. In her leisure she enjoyed gardening, reading, and she cherished spending time with her family and her many girlfriends; often going out to lunch. She took pride in organizing many of her class reunions for Saratoga Springs High School Class of 1962. Prior to COVID she volunteered at the Saratoga Casino and the Military Museum both in Saratoga Springs. She was a past president of the Wa-Sa-Wa Association of Dowsing. Dowsing is a type of divination employed in attempts to locate ground water, buried metals, ores, or gemstones.
Ellen is predeceased by her husband Genarro Calabrese, brothers and sisters-in-law Edward (Pat), Stuart (Janet) and Robert Stiles and a sister Monica Lee; and her stepson Gerry Calabrese.
Survivors include her daughters Melissa Racine (Brian) of Scotia, and Jenna White of Wilton, her sons, Michael Frasl (Paula) of Broadalbin, and Nick Dean (Kim) of Round Lake, a stepson, Peter Calabrese (Renee) of Hartsdale, NY, two step daughters, Christina Devaney (Tom) of Rensselaer, and Sherri Calabrese of Feura Bush, NY, brother Malcolm Stiles (LaVerne) of Wilton, and sister-in-law Orpha Stiles of Saratoga Springs. Grandchildren Grayson Racine (Ashton), Gavin Racine, Gage Wille, Aaron Dean, Kaitlyn Dean, Lucas McDermott (Lauren), Drew White, Gabriel Calabrese, Julien Calabrese, Jared Calabrese, Cooper Devaney and Violet Devaney; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.
Family and friends may call from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Monday May 13, 2024, at the Tunison Funeral Home 105 Lake Ave. Saratoga Springs, NY 12866. Saratoga-Wilton Elks Lodge will hold a memorial service at 11:30 a.m. followed by the Auxiliary’s Service. Elks will attend together at this hour. Graveside services will be held at 12:30 p.m. at Greenridge Cemetery in Saratoga Springs following the calling hours.
Ellen did request that people celebrate her life not, mourn her death, by wearing bright colors to her funeral.
In lieu of flowers please consider making donations to Cerebral Palsy of NY State; the Elks major fundraiser. Ellen was working on The Elks Spring Fundraiser for Cerebral Palsy at the time of her passing. Donations in Ellen’s name should be sent to CPNYS; 3 Cedar Street Extension, Suite 2; Cohoes, NY 12047. Phone: 518-235-1880
