Obituary of Maire Alina Bilsback

Maire Alina Bilsback, 85, passed away after a short illness on Tuesday, November 25, 2014, in Rochester, NY. Preceding her in death were her parents, Anna and Kalle Eskola, and her husband of over 30 years, Malvin Bilsback. Maire is survived by her four children: Janice Black (Stephen), of Fredericksburg, VA; Richard Bilsback (Denise) of Webster, NY; Gary Bilsback (Martha) of Rhinebeck, NY; Brian (Maureen Hall) Bilsback of West Tisbury, MA; nine grandchildren: Jessica Robertson, David Loyal, Christopher Black, Kelsey Bilsback, Evan Bilsback, Jenna Bilsback, Nicholas HallBilsback, Mariah HallBilsback, Emma HallBilsback, and one great-grandchild, Henry Robertson. Maire was born in Springfield, Vermont, on November 11, 1929, and grew up in Brooklyn, NY. After her marriage in 1951 to Malvin Bilsback, a design engineer with IBM, she lived in Poughkeepsie, NY and then moved to Woodstock, NY. After Malvin's death in 1982, she lived in Rhinebeck, NY. She was active in the community, including Sons of Norway, Christ's Lutheran Church in Woodstock, and Left Footers Square Dance Club. Maire was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother, and will be greatly missed. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of her life on Saturday, December 20, at Lasher's Funeral Home in Woodstock, NY. Calling hours begin at 3:00pm, with a service to follow at 4:30pm.Memorial donations in her name may be made to the building fund at Christ's Lutheran Church, 26 Mill Hill Rd., Woodstock, NY 12498.