Mrs. Althea Mary (Phillips) Eannace, Esq.

Mrs. Althea Mary (Phillips) Eannace, J.D., of Proctor Boulevard, passed away Tuesday, April 22, 2014, at the home she shared with her daughter and son-in-law, Robin and Dr. Richard O’Brien, in Clinton, N.Y. Althea was born on December 23, 1918, in Tupper Lake, NY, the only child born to the late Vincent and Lillian (Jardine) Phillips. She received her early education in Tupper Lake, studied at St. Lawrence University and graduated with her Baccalaureate Degree in English from Syracuse University in 1940. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Althea enrolled at the Syracuse University College of Law, serving as President of the Louis Marshall Legal Society and graduating with her Law Degree in 1943. After serving in the American Red Cross and the USO as part of the war effort, Althea began her practice of law in Utica, NY. It was here that she met and married her beloved husband of 64 years, Dr. Ralph J. Eannace. They were married on June 10, 1946, at St. George’s Episcopal Church. Together, they delighted in raising their four children, and in truly enjoying their family life-- sharing their love of travel, music, dancing, adventure, and most of all, each other. Althea had a gift for making new friends and once friends, they quickly became family. Although always a “Tupper Lake girl” at heart, Althea embraced civic engagement and responsibility in Utica. She oversaw her husband’s election campaigns for the Utica School Board, and served as Hostess for the City of Utica in 1963 for a group of young international visitors representing over a dozen countries. In addition, she sponsored fund raising for the American Field Service and scholarship programs, served on the Board of the House of the Good Shepherd, mentored law students, was a longtime member of the Oneida County Bar Association, and the New Century Club. Recently, Althea was honored as a “Pioneering Woman of the Law,” being one of the first women lawyers in Oneida County, with her portrait being placed in the Oneida County Courthouse. In her practice of the law, she advised, counseled, and guided her clients through business, personal and especially family problems with empathy, practicality and legal excellence. Althea was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star and she enthusiastically took part in Clan Donald festivities in honor of her Scottish heritage. Althea embraced life with joy, courage and a daring sense of adventure. She exuberantly opened the family home to new friends and old, making sure that there was always room at the table. She had a delightfully wicked sense of humor--and her grandchildren were fond of saying that “Honeybun knows a song about everything!” Indeed, although dementia took its toll on her sharp mind in more recent years, she never forgot the prayers, the poems and the songs. Through it all her quiet acts of kindness were legion. She was predeceased by her husband, Ralph, in May 2011. She leaves, to celebrate her life and gifts, her children, Maryrose Eannace of Utica, Lark and Robert Patterson of Maryland, Robin and Dr. Richard O’Brien of Clinton, and Honorable Ralph Jr. and Laura Eannace of Utica. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Tyson Eannace Lazzaro and his wife Jennifer Newton, Althea Eannace Lazzaro, Christopher Eshleman, Adam and Katie (Stein) Ullman, Andrew Ullman, Caitlin Ullman, Garrett O’Brien, Nicole Moran, Sarah Eannace, and Lillian Eannace. She was predeceased by her dear grandson, Daniel L. Eshleman. Bringing much joy to her later years are great-grandchildren Gavin Ullman, Elias Ullman, Clyde Taylor III, and Jaxson Davis. Also mourning her passing are her dear sisters-in-law Gloria Infusino and Virginia Eannace; several dear nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins and many loving friends including the Cianciolo-Taylor families. She was predeceased by her son-in-law, Lewis E. Ullman, Esq.; her in-laws, Carmine V. and Nancy (Pacciarelli) Eannace, Salvatore J. Eannace, Esq., and Vincent R. Infusino, Sr.; and her closest lifelong friends from Tupper Lake, Beatrice Bradley and Beatrice Winslow. The family wishes to express deep gratitude to caregivers including Susie, Carrie, Renee, and Irina; and to Dr. Michael DeJesus for his extraordinary care during Mom’s transitional journey. Visitation will be held on Sunday from 2-5 at the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave. In supporting important people in her life, the family humbly asks that you consider making memorial contributions to the Utica College Daniel L. Eshleman Memorial Speakers Fund, or the MVCC Foundation for Dr. Ralph and Althea Eannace Memorial Scholarship Fund; envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Althea’s funeral service will commence on Monday morning at 10:00 from the funeral home and at 11:00 at New Hartford First United Methodist Church, 105 East Genesee Street in New Hartford; with Rev. Stephen Deckard officiating. For a woman who lived a full life, this will truly be a celebration, as well as rejoicing in her reunion with her beloved Ralph.

Mrs. Althea Mary (Phillips) Eannace, Esq.

December 23, 1918 - April 22, 2014