Stase’s Obituary Queensbury — Stase (Zygevicius) Marcinkevicius, 97, of Queensbury, passed away Wednesday, March 13, 2019, at Matulaitis Nursing Home in Putnam, CT. She was born on October 14, 1921, in Kaunas, Lithuania. She was the daughter of the late Juozas Zygevicius and Ona (Rozinaityte) Zygevicius.
She was predeceased by her husband, Anthony (Tony) Marcinkevicius, her daughter, Dalia (Cookie) Marcinkevicius, and her son, Vitas (Vitty) Marcinkevicius, all of Queensbury. She attended State Commerce School in Kaunas, Lithuania, until the Russians invaded the country during World War II. Stase then endured a second invasion, this time by Nazi Germany in 1941.
During the occupation she, along with a group of others, were detained at a train station in Lithuania where their passports and travel documents were confiscated. They were transported to Germany, where she spent the next year working in a forced-labor camp. After she was freed, she spent the next 4-1/2 years living in a displaced persons refugee camp in Wurzburg, Germany, refusing to return to Soviet-occupied Lithuania.
She met and married her husband Tony while in the camp. Their son Vitty was born there as well. They were sponsored by an elderly American woman with the same last name, but no relation, and finally immigrated to the United States in June 1949.
They first settled in Worcester, MA, where her husband’s family lived and there was a community of many other Lithuanian families. Her husband started a job at a bakery and their daughter Cookie was born. They lived in Worcester for about 18 years and then moved to Glens Falls opening Tony’s Bakery.
After her husband’s passing, Stase sold the bakery and worked until retiring from Price Chopper/Golub Corporation. She remained very active during her retirement years. She collected stamps, visited the elderly in nursing homes, played bridge with friends, joined the Bay Meadows Golf Club, where she participated in leagues and tournaments, and began to paint landscapes and flowers.
Stase became very involved in the International Art & Culture Organization, displaying her Lithuanian artifacts and dressing in her native folk attire. She was active in communicating with Vytautas Landsbergis, the first head of state of Lithuanian after its independence declaration from the Soviet Union and was proud to support his efforts for a free Lithuania. She contributed editorial posts and was interviewed several times by The Post-Star to share her Lithuanian heritage.
But her greatest dream was to explore the world, and that she did. Stase traveled extensively, exploring Asia and the South Pacific, South America and Europe, including Italy, France and of course her homeland of Lithuania. Where she did meet the Head of State and reunite with many family members.
A remarkable life, for a strong remarkable woman who will be missed by many! Calling hours will take place from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 23, 2019, at Baker Funeral Home, 11 Lafayette St., Queensbury, NY 12804. A Funeral Mass will follow at 11:30 a.m. at Our Lady of the Annunciation in Queensbury, with Father Busch officiating.
Burial will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery in South Glens Falls. The family wishes to extend a sincere thank you to the staff at Matulaitis Nursing home for the care, companionship and support they provided Stase during her final years. In loving memory of Stase and in lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Friends Working for the Children c/o Marjory Cleaveland-Yeakel, 9946 County Route 76, Hammondsport, NY 14840.
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