Edna “Bird” Yetto

“Be good. And if you can’t be good, be careful.”

Edna M. Yetto, “Bird,” 97 of Colonie, passed away on Saturday, March 30, 2024 at Samaritan Hospital in Troy after a brief illness. She was born in Tamworth, England, she was the daughter of the late Cecil and Truelavinia Hunter Pownell and was a graduate of the Tamworth school system in England. She was the widow of Bartholomew Sclafani and Edward Yetto, Jr.

During WWII, Edna volunteered for the Girls Training Corp. She was especially proud of this opportunity. While serving, she became a Corporal, drilled the cadets, and won two cups for rifle shooting and all-around best cadet

Edna (a.k.a Bird), loved her first job as a switchboard operator for the City of Tamworth. Bird never purposely listened in on any calls but did say that there was a certain officiant who shouldn’t have conducted his illicit business through the phone lines!

In her spare time, Bird loved to make dolls, play with her grandchildren, and research genealogy. It’s too bad, though, that the amateur genealogist made some inconsequential errors during her research. (The family recently learned that they weren’t related to William the Conqueror, after all! So much for being royal.) Still, Bird showed good taste with her devotion to the singer, Tom Jones. Even the neighbors approved of her choice!

The devoted and much-loved mother was also an avid baker who was especially known for her delicious cheesecake, Linzer tarts, and fluffy cream puffs. However, Bird will be more remembered for her loving nature, beautiful smile, ability to ask good questions, and readiness for a good joke. There will never be another like her and she will be sorely missed.

Edna (“Bird”) was the devoted mother of Susan (David) DeFeo of CA, Margaret (Norman) Lemire of NY, and Kathy (Ray) Rusch of NC. She was the stepmother of Amy (David) Rohrmiller, Rebecca Swart, Kimberly, and Edward Yetto all of NY. She was the sister of Samuel “Moggie” Pownell of England and the late Dorothy, Olive, and Joan. She was the grandmother of Rebecca (Bill), Hayley (Monte), Ian, Sam, James, Sacred (Clinton), Johanna (Steven), Carly (Mike), Terrence, Sarah (John), and Hannah (Pierce) and is also survived by 9 great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews.

The funeral service will be private, at the convenience of the family under the direction of the Gordon C. Emerick Funeral Home, 1550 RT-9, Clifton Park, NY 12065. There will be no calling hours.

The interment will be private in Vischer Ferry Cemetery, Vischer Ferry, NY.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Paralyzed Veterans of America at https://pva.org or the American Cancer Society at https://donate.cancer.org/

You can express your condolences on this Memorial Site or by visiting https://gordoncemerickfuneralhome.com/tribute/details/2211/Edna-Yetto/obituary.html