Thelma B. Kirch

~~Port Leyden - Thelma B. Kirch, 82, a longtime resident of Lincoln Street, Port Leyden, passed away on Tuesday, August 22, 2017, at Albany Medical Center, after a brief illness. Thelma was predeceased by her husband Richard J. Kirch, parents Martin and Luella Sullivan Beck, sister Mary and brother Martin. She is survived by her sons, Charles (Pam) Kirch, Cazenovia; Martin (Charlene Johnson) Kirch, Port Leyden, Patrick (Christine) Kirch, Leeds; daughters Michele and Laura Kirch, Albany; grandchildren Amanda (Andrew) Ozanich, Nate (Christina) Kirch, Emily and Erik Kirch and great-grandchildren Tatiana, Danyele and Kiara Kirch and Sophia and John Ozanich. Thelma was born in Lyonsdale and attended the Lyonsdale Rural School. She graduated from Port Leyden High School with the class of 1953. She attended Austins School of Beauty in Albany, NY, receiving a degree in cosmetology. After graduation she was employed in a beauty salon in Utica, NY. She married her husband, Richard, on August 16, 1958, and devoted herself to raising their five children. Although she stopped working in a salon, she still kept her hand in by providing services to her friends and family. First and foremost, she greatly loved her family and spending time with them and friends. She enjoyed camping, particularly at Golden Beach State Park, Raquette Lake, and travelling. Upon her husbands retirement in 1988, she spent many years being a snowbird. Initially, she drove their truck/travel trailer cross-country to Prescott, AZ. In later years, she spent winters at Dogwood Park in Bushnell, FL. She was an avid collector, and seldom passed a garage sale that didnt call her name. She greatly enjoyed playing cards, although thought the object of Hearts was to give her husband the Queen, regardless of who was low. A prayer will be on Saturday at 9:00 AM at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 AM at St. Martin's Church, Port Leyden. Interment will follow at St. Stephen's Cemetery, Croghan. Visitation is Friday 4-8 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, the family would like memorial contributions to be made to The American Heart Association.