Celebrating the Life of
Edna “Bird” Yetto
March 8, 1927 — March 30, 2024
Obituary
“Be good. And if you can’t be good, be careful.”
Edna M. Yetto, “Bird,” 97 of Colonie, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at Samaritan Hospital in Troy after a brief illness. She was born in Tamworth, England, she was the daughter of the late Cecil and Truelavinia Hunter Pownell and was a graduate of the Tamworth school system in England. She was the widow of Bartholomew Sclafani and Edward Yetto, Jr.
During WWII, Edna volunteered for the Girls Training Corp. She was especially proud of this opportunity. While serving, she became a Corporal, drilled the cadets, and won two cups for rifle shooting and all-around best cadet
Edna (a.k.a Bird), loved her first job as a switchboard operator for the City of Tamworth. Bird never purposely listened in on any calls but did say that there was a certain officiant who shouldn’t have conducted his illicit business through the phone lines!
In her spare time, Bird loved to make dolls, play with her grandchildren, and research genealogy. It’s too bad, though, that the amateur genealogist made some inconsequential errors during her research. (The family recently learned that they weren’t related to William the Conqueror, after all! So much for being royal.) Still, Bird showed good taste with her devotion to the singer, Tom Jones. Even the neighbors approved of her choice!
The devoted and much-loved mother was also an avid baker who was especially known for her delicious cheesecake, Linzer tarts, and fluffy cream puffs. However, Bird will be more remembered for her loving nature, beautiful smile, ability to ask good questions, and readiness for a good joke. There will never be another like her and she will be sorely missed.
Edna (“Bird”) was the devoted mother of Susan (David) DeFeo of CA, Margaret (Norman) Lemire of NY, and Kathy (Ray) Rusch of NC. She was the stepmother of Amy (David) Rohrmiller, Rebecca Swart, Kimberly, and Edward Yetto all of NY. She was the sister of Samuel “Moggie” Pownell of England and the late Dorothy, Olive, and Joan. She was the grandmother of Rebecca (Bill), Hayley (Monte), Ian, Sam, James, Sacred (Clinton), Johanna (Steven), Carly (Mike), Terrence, Sarah (John), and Hannah (Pierce) and is also survived by 9 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.
The funeral service will be private, at the convenience of the family under the direction of the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 RT-9, Clifton Park, NY 12065. There will be no calling hours.
The interment will be private in Vischer Ferry Cemetery, Vischer Ferry, NY.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America at https://pva.org or the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org/
You can express your condolences on this Memorial Site or by visiting https://gordoncemerickfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/2211/Edna-Yetto/obituary.html
Memories and Condolences
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Bird and granddaughter, Carly Lemire Lake
Bird, Me (Margaret Lemire) and my mother-in-law, Lottie Lemire
Lovely photo of Bird. She Looks like me!
Bird (red dress) with family in England. Uncle Bob is leaning over and cousin Janis Pownell is resting on him. Paul McIntyre is the child with his hand on Uncle Bob
Bird at my first communion (Margaret Sclafani Lemire)
Bird and daddy (Bart Sclafani)
L to r Susan Defeo, Bird holding Kathy Rusch and Margaret Lemire
Bird and family in England includes Aunt Olive and Bob Allen, Jr
Bird and Margaret
Bird with us 3 girls at Marcy St.
Top l to r - Dorothy, Olive, Joan Bottom l to r - Maurice, Edna
Bird in a Hot Rod.
Bird and Daddy in California.
Ed and Bird at Hayley Defeo's marriage to Monte Miller, 8/15/2002.
Margaret Lemire, daughter; Linda McCloskey, niece by marriage, and Bird,
Bird and Ed on their wedding day, 8/15/92. My wedding day with Monte was 8/15/02!
Bird probably on her honeymoon, Narrowsburg, NY, 1951
Bird as a young girl. Around 1932. Tamworth, England
Bird and Hannah Rusch, granddaughter. Graduation, Delaware, 2015
Margaret , daughter and Bird. In Cape Cod around 2014-2017.
Moggie Pownell (Samuel), Bird, and Joan McCloskey Mitchell. Clifton Park, NY. Between 2010-2014
Monte Miller, husband of Hayley; Susan Defeo, daughter; Hayley Defeo Miller, granddaughter, and Bird. At Sacred Averill’s wedding in Rochester, NY
Bird and Moggie (Samuel) Pownell, Stockbridge, Mass
Bird and Joan McCloskey Mitchell, sister. USS
Bird and Hannah, granddaughter. Nashville, TN 2017 or 2018
Margaret, daughter; Bird, and Laura Sclafani, Great Niece. Durham, NC, 2016
Terrence, grandson and Bird
Bird
Sue Pich, niece and Bird, visiting alpaca in Massachusetts. Around 2010-2013
Bird in niece Sue Pich’s kitchen, Bowden, England
Bird holding a painting she did on her 97th birthday on March 8, 2024. Her last birthday. A carer (Sparrow), took the photo at Millview Assisted Living, Cohoes, NY
Edna with Ed's mom Marie and Ed's aunt Martha at Ed's daughter Kim's baby shower in 1998
Edna with Ed's mom Marie, Ed's daughter Kim, and Ed's son Eddy 1991
Edna with Ed's mom Marie and Ed's son-in-law Dave Christmas 1999
Edna with Ed's mother Marie and Ed's son Eddy.
Edna with sister Joan, brother-in-law Clem, Daughter Margaret and granddaughter Carly
Ed and Edna at Ed's daughter Amy's house with Ed's daughter Becky, Son Eddy, and Grandchildren Adriana and Stephanie.
Ed and Edna with Ed's son-in-law Ray at Paolo Lombardi's in Wynantskill
Ed and Edna with Amy's husband Dave December 2002
Ed and Edna with Ed's granddaughter Brittney at the house in Hoosick Falls for Christmas around 2006.
Ed and Edna with Rebecca/Becky (Ed's daughter)
Christmas 1998 with Amy's husband Dave
Christmas 2001
Ed caught the garter and Edna the bouquet at Ed's daughter Amy's wedding in May 1992. They married in August of the same year.
Christmas at Ed's mom Marie's house in 1998
Christmas with Edna and Ed in '97 at Ed's mom Marie's house. Stephanie in foreground
Ed and Edna at Amy's wedding. They loved to dance.
In England undated
Edna and Ed at Amy's (Ed's daughter) wedding 1992
Edna with Ed and Stephanie at Ed's 50th birthday in 1996
Lovely photo of Bird. This may have been around 1950.
Ed and Bird. I guess they like Baked Potatoes. Anyone know where this is?
Bird in her dining room in Hoosier Falls, NY. Probably before 2001
I had the privilege of working and visiting Bird 2 times a week. Between her lovely daughters and I we were trying to drink more fluids keep her from getting sick. I had such wonderful time learning about her life from all her photographs. She had a life size picture of her brother who she adored and if course The Queen herself Elizabeth. I could sit there all day and listen ti her English accent in her sexy voice. Her younger pictures of her she was quite a "hottie". Long legs and reddish hair you could tell she was a spitfire. She had a huge capacity of love especially for her daughters who she spoke of quite often. I was lucky enough to meet and become friends with Katherine and Margaret and recently met her step daughter. Unfortunately I never got to meet Susanne. But she fiercely loved all her daughters. Her true love was Ed and the love she had fir him melted my heart. How lucky was she to find that kind of love and carry it on to every person that touched her life. How lucky were we who got to witness this love and feel it. I was just a small part of this family's life but they touched me in a big way. You can tell she would loght up a room. She always made me smile and chuckle when she was awake enough to talk. I will miss her and hope that Katherine and Margaret will still kerp in touch with me.
I would like to remember Edna as a friend as well as my Mother-in-law. We shared many deep conversations over the years. Bird always made you feel wiser than you were by how intently she listened to what you were saying. Bird was a shining example of what it was to be part of the “Greatest Generation”. Having lived through the challenges of the 2nd World War she had an inner strength that guided her to 97 years young. As evidenced by some of the photos posted she had an inner grace that showed through. But one of her finest qualities was her ability to laugh at herself for her “Birdisms”. Bird, I love you and will forever be a better man for having known you. Your friend Ray.
I was very young but can remember when my Auntie Edna came to America and lived with us in NYC. Little kids remember people who lit up the room. She was always happy and kind to me. Throughout life she remained that way. I will miss her very much Now I know she is with my Mom and all the family. May God continue to Bless my Auntie Edna
From Birds cousin Lylie in England.
Bird, Olive, sister; Joan; sister, Moggie (Samuel). Around 1939-1940, England
Bird on vacation in the late 70's or early 80's
Bird, 1947- 1951 1) With her brother Moggie (Samuel) Pownell in England, 1947. 2) On her wedding day to her first husband, Bartholomew J. Sclafani, USA, 1951 3) On her honeymoon with Bart Sclafani, USA, 1951
Bird around 1950. There is a inscription to our father, Bartholomew, on the back.
Bird and Ed at granddaughter Hannah's christening, 1992.
Bird and Ed on their wedding day. Grandson Terrence on left, and granddaughter Carly on right
Family get-together in England, 1970s. Bird, her siblings Joan and Moggie, and their children.
Bird and her daughters. L to R: Kathy, Bird, Margaret, Susan.
Bird and Ed at a costume party, channeling Burt Reynolds.
Bird and Susan Pich, niece, England
The Three Amigos: Bird, Carly Lemire Lake, granddaughter and Kathy Rusch, daughter
Rebecca Defeo Fawley, granddaughter and Bird
Bird in Raleigh, NC, 2017
Family Photo: Rebecca Swart, stepdaughter; Amy Rohrmiller, stepdaughter, Edward Yetto, Jr, (spouse); Bird, Kimberely Yetto, stepdaughter; Edward Yetto, III (Eddie), stepson
Girls training Corps, Tamworth High School, England. See if you can pick Bird out!
Bird and Ed.
Sarah Rusch, granddaughter and Bird
Bird and Carly Lemire Lake, granddaughter
Bird and Kathy Rusch, daughter
Margaret Lemire, daughter and Bird
Hannah Rusch; granddaughter and Bird
Margaret Lemire, daughter; Susan Defeo; daughter; Bird; Kathy Rusch; daughter. 2014
Bird (left); Joan Pownell McCloskey Mitchell, sister (right)
Family Photo: L to R: Sacred Defeo Averill, granddaughter: Johana Defeo Lozano; granddaughter; Susan Defeo; daughter; Ian Defeo; grandson; Sam Defeo; grandson and Bird
Bird and Sue Pich; niece. Taken in England
Family photo. Left to right: Margaret Lemire, daughter; Uncle Mog, brother; Kathy Rusch, daughter; Sue Pich, niece; Bird; Hannah Rusch; granddaughter; Pierce Sofko, grandson by marriage
Kathy Rusch, daughter and Bird. Taken around 2014
Taken around 2019 in Raleigh, NC
Sue Pich, Niece; Terrence Rusch, grandson, (below Sue), Mike Pich; nephew-in-law; and Bird. Taken in Bowden England, Christmastime 2017
Bird and Uncle Mog (Birds younger brother)
Bird and Cousin Marilyn-Photo taken in Ashby De La Zouch, England
Bird will be forever in our hearts. She was charming, bright, loving, and enthusiastic. I have so many memories that I will always cherish. Thanks for being a shining star in my life, Bird. Until we meet again, your daughter, Kathy.
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