Claudia J. Zbytniewski

West Leyden- Claudia J. (Kranbuhl) Zbytniewski, 71, wife of Joseph, passed away on Saturday, January 20, 2024, after a heroic battle with cancer and while surrounded by the loving care of her husband and family.

Claudia was born in Boonville, on February 5, 1952, a daughter of Douglas K. and Mildred B. Plummer Kranbuhl. She grew up on Main St. in Boonville and received her education at Boonville Central School and later at Adirondack Central School. On July 10, 1971, she was united in marriage with Joseph C. Zbytniewski, at the First Baptist Church of Boonville. Afterwards she and her husband moved to their present home near West Leyden.

She excelled in her role of wife, mother, grandmother and homemaker. Claudia will be fondly remembered as an excellent cook, who made “world’s best chili,” as she was also famous for her baked Ziti and mayonnaise chocolate cake. No one ever went hungry while in her company and Claudia and Joe loved entertaining family and friends at their residence and also at their camp in Highmarket.

Over the years Claudia greatly enjoyed snowmobiling and four wheeling and in her younger years, hunting deer. She especially liked going to garage sales. Her favorite pastime was playing the game of Gin Rummy with her seven-year-old grandson, Austin.

In addition to her loving husband of 52 years, Claudia is survived by her father, Douglas B. Kranbuhl; children; Kristie Haley (Shane), Shelley Smith (John), Steven Zbytniewski (Kristin) and Timothy Zbytniewski (Samantha); grandchildren, Brian Harrer (Alison), Brittany Costa (Christopher), Brenda West (Paul), Austin Zbytniewski, Arianna Bourgeois, Preston Campbell and Joseph Campbell; great grandchildren, Emma, Harper, Arlie, Logan, Isabella and Lucas; one brother, Gerald Kranbuhl (Debbie) and a sister, Lynda Dailey (John). She was predeceased by her mother, Mildred B. Kranbuhl and by two brothers, Timothy and Dougie Kranbuhl. Also surviving is her faithful canine companion, Dusty.

Services will be Friday, January 26, 2024, at 6:30 P.M. at Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St., Boonville, where calling hours are also Friday from 2:00 P.M. until the services and afterwards, all are invited to attend a gathering beginning at 8:00 P.M., at The Milk Plant Tavern, State Rt. 26, in West Leyden. Claudia loved cats and dogs and was kind to animals of all kinds; in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Wanderers Rest Humane Society, 7138 Sutherland Road, Canastota, NY 13032 or to the West Leyden Fire Department Ambulance fund, P.O. box 205, West Leyden, NY 13489.