Lucile B. Greshel

MOHAWK - After nearly 103 years on Earth, Lucile Beatrice Greshel peacefully passed away on April 11th, 2025. She lived a long life filled with family and friends.

Born on June 5th, 1922, in Herkimer, New York, Lucile was the daughter of the late Adrian and Alice (Ward) Perry. After graduating from Mohawk Central School in 1941, Lucile’s first job was at the W.T. Grant store in Herkimer.

On September 24th, 1949, at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Mohawk, Lucile was united in marriage to Gerald E. Greshel, Sr., a blessed union of 51 years. Following the births of her two children, Lucile was a stay-at-home mom. Upon returning to work, she was the assistant credit department manager at the Herkimer Montgomery Ward store. Lucile was last employed at the Library Bureau in charge of special orders of library furniture for twenty-five years.

Lucile’s Catholic faith was an important part of her life. She was a parishioner of the Blessed Sacrament Church in Mohawk. As a dedicated member of the church community, she was involved in rummage sales, card parties, breakfast and dinner fundraisers, and she chaired the annual Chinese auction held during the November holiday bazaar. As a weekly money counter, Lucile and her friends, Millie Piper and Agnes Thomes, were referred to as the “Golden Girls” by Sister Mary Jo Tallman. For many years Lucile enjoyed dinners after 5:30PM masses, playing cards and having other get-togethers with Sister Mary Jo.

Lucile was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas (Court St. Bridget #265), a lifetime member of the American Legion Auxiliary and served on the board of the Mohawk Homestead for a number of years. She also worked at the polls for Mohawk Village elections and at the Herkimer County election polls.

Spending time with family, especially during the holidays, was at the center of Lucile’s world. She never missed a concert, recital, field trip or graduation when her grandchildren were growing up. Also, Lucile and Jerry always looked forward to summer vacations in Maine and Cape Cod. Shopping, playing cards, and getting her hair done weekly (as her grandson, Jack, fondly remembers), were several of her pastimes. She enjoyed politics, socializing with her many friends and was proud of her Irish heritage.

Lucile was a loving mother to her daughter, Kathleen (and the late Lyle) Aney and to her son, Gerald E. Jr. and Judith Greshel. She was a devoted grandmother to Jennifer (Jeffery) Jones, Rebecca (Casey) McCanta, Zachary Greshel and Katherine Greshel (fiancé, Ryan Davis). Her great-grandchildren, Jackson, Olivia and Sophia McCanta, Alexander Rivera and Harper Jones, brought her much joy and happiness. They will miss visiting her and bringing her pictures they drew and colored, notes and letters they wrote and bracelets they made. Memories of Lucile will always be cherished by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is also survived by several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Lucile was predeceased by her loving husband, Jerry; her parents, Adrian and Alice Perry; her brother, Donald Perry; her sisters, Margaret Juteau and Doris Lundquist; and her son-in-law, Lyle Aney.

During the past few years, Lucile has been blessed with visits from friends and family. Many heartfelt thanks to Denise Williams, Micky Ostrander, Kay and Ray Lenarcic, Frieda Lennon, George Aney, Tom Johnston, Sister Mary Jo Tallman, Mary Carol Aiello and Claude Boyle, for their visits, their concern and support and for their love.

Funeral services will be held on Friday, June 27th, 2025, at 10:00AM at the Blessed Sacrament Church in Mohawk. Interment will follow at the Village of Mohawk Cemetery. There are no calling hours.

Those wishing to remember Lucile in a special way are asked to consider a donation in her memory to the Blessed Sacrament Church, c/o Family of the Holy Cross Office, 228 South Main Street, Herkimer, NY 13350.

All arrangements are honorably placed in the loving care of longtime family friends and funeral directors, Enea, Ciaccia and Applegate, at 4309 Acme Road, Ilion, NY (315) 894-8000. Looking back, we fondly remember that Lucile and Beatrice Applegate (Donald’s mother) were cousins.

Lucile’s obituary will be placed on the funeral home website at www.eneafamily.com on the Internet.