On Saturday, March 30, 2024, Gloria Louise Habeck decided that 95 years was the right amount of time to enjoy everything that life has to offer, and chose to pass away peacefully at Albany Medical Center.

Born in Sharon, Connecticut, on February 9, 1929, to Carl and Greta Fischer, her family moved to New York's Columbia County area in the 1930s. After high school, Gloria spent several months studying agriculture and learned to drive by operating tractors. As a thrill-seeking teenager, Gloria and her friends once played a prank by pretending to be hitchhikers. To their amazement, a car actually stopped, prompting them to bolt and hide in a hollowed-out tree. It's classic Gloria—curious yet cautious, with a dash of spontaneity and always entertaining. She eventually stumbled upon her partner in crime, the late Ed Habeck Sr., and the two tied the knot in 1949. When asked why she fell in love with Ed, her reply was that he was wild and liked to drive fast. Ed and Gloria were the definition of 'til death do us part,' holding hands for a remarkable 62 years until Ed passed away in 2012. They would have two children, Sharon Palmer and the late Ed Habeck Jr., who passed away in 2017.

Gloria collected numerous nicknames throughout her life. Her hubby fancied her his 'Lotus Blossom,' her great-grandkids knew her affectionately as 'GG,' and to all others, she was simply known as 'Sis' because once you met her, she treated you like family. Her career consisted of working at the family business, Kinderhook Toyota. Initially, the establishment was a gas station and body shop, and Gloria would spend time there sanding cars. Later, when it became a car dealership, she was a bookkeeper and accountant, wielding her printing calculator like a weapon against any employee daring enough to misplace a decimal. You always knew if Gloria was nearby as she hummed and sang tunes as she moved about and was a fixture at the dealership throughout her life.

Ed and Gloria also became quite the jet setters. Without hesitation, they would explore destinations far and wide, from Zambia and China to Singapore and the USSR. On some of their adventures, Ed would venture off to pursue his passion for hunting big game, leaving Gloria to wonder if he'd become lion lunch while she lounged poolside at the hotel, sipping a cocktail and hoping for the best. Her go-to comfort food was corned beef and cabbage; coleslaw was her signature side dish. If you suggested going out for dinner, she'd only agree if it meant going to Kozel's in Ghent. She loved talking about her family's history and made sure to preserve it by saving every photograph, letter, and postcard that came her way.

Fiercely independent after her husband and son passed away, she continued to drive into her 90s, making her almost daily pilgrimage to her favorite store, Price Chopper. When contractors recently came to her house to install additional safety railings, she kicked them out.

Gloria was incredibly generous and developed a passion for supporting local organizations and charities, such as churches, rescue squads, fire departments, and the Humane Society. We will miss her vibrant, resilient, and youthful spirit. Gloria is survived by her daughter Sharon (Elton), daughter-in-law Brinder Habeck, grandchildren Edward Habeck III (Genevieve), Jennifer Reidhead (Peter), and David Palmer, and great-grandchildren Edward Habeck IV, Skyler Reidhead, and Hunter Reidhead. As per Gloria's wishes, there will be no funeral services. Instead, we'll gather for a celebration of her life later this year. In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to the Chatham Rescue Squad to honor Gloria's memory. For on-line condolences, visit wenkfuneralhome.com