Franke, Marie Gutta

ALBANY- Marie (Gutta) Franke, passed away at home on Friday, December 1, 2017. Born in Albany, she was the daughter of the late Jerome and Angeline (Angerame) Gutta, and was a graduate of the former Philip Schuyler High School. Mrs. Franke earned a bachelor’s degree from the College of St. Rose and her master’s from SUNY Albany. She was a music teacher for 15 years with the Albany Public Schools and a second grade teacher at School of Humanities for 17 years. Mrs. Franke was a member of the AARTA, Catholic Women’s Service League, Interfaith Council, the College of St. Rose Alumni Association, Albany Music Teachers Association and the Ladies of Charity. She was a communicant, choir member, cantor and active volunteer at St. Francis of Assisi Parish (formerly St. James Church) and soloist at several area churches. Marie was an Associate of the Sisters of Mercy and an active member of the Mercy choir.

She was predeceased by her husband Joseph S. Franke. She is the beloved mother of Stephen Franke and his wife Fran, Mary Angela “Mimi” Franke, Ann Marie Suarato and her husband Louis and Joanne Van Vlack and her husband John; cherished grandmother of Maran Person (Edward), Kristin Stalker (Michael) and Joseph Van Vlack; great-grandmother of Maxwell and Zachary Person; devoted sister of Carmella Sardi, Johanna Monachino and Geraldine Sprys. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.

Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated Tuesday, December 5, at 11 am in St. Francis of Assisi Church, 391 Delaware Ave. Albany. Relatives and friends are invited to attend and may also visit with Marie’s family in the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, 490 Delaware Ave. prior to the Mass from 9-10:30 am. Burial will follow the Mass in Calvary Cemetery, Glenmont, NY.

Those who wish may make memorial contributions in memory of Marie Franke to St. Francis of Assisi Memorial Fund, 391 Delaware Ave., Albany, NY 12209.