Laura Jean Ribley

January 21, 1932 - November 9, 2014

Laura Jean Yorck Ribley, of Claverack, NY passed away Sunday, November 09, 2014 at Columbia Memorial Hospital, in the loving embrace of her granddaughter, after spending days surrounded and supported by those who love her. Born January 21, 1932 in Stone Cliff, West Virginia, she was the daughter of Joseph Claud Robinson and Lorena May (Clements) Robinson. She moved to Hudson, NY during high school and remained living in Columbia County for the rest of her life. She preferred being called Jean since northerners could not pronounce Laura in the familiar, southern style. She married her high school sweetheart, Harold William Yorck of Hudson in September 1951, and they made their home in Claverack. In 1963 Harold died of cancer, leaving her a 31 year-old widow with four little ones. She learned to drive, went to work at Sterling Winthrop Laboratories in Rennselaer, and worked hard to raise her children. In 1974 she became re-acquainted with another Hudson High School graduate, Royal Ribley, and romance soon followed. The two were wed on March 15, 1975 in Stottville, NY and made their home at the Ribley farm homestead on Gahbauer Road in Claverack, until his death in 1993. It was a gathering place for family and friends where at any time one could be called upon to help with the farm chores -- anything from haying to calving. Jean was a member of both the West Ghent Fire Auxiliary and Mellenville Grange No. 1255, and was a card and board game aficionado. She was renowned for her ability to turn an average pinochle hand into a power house or gain maximum triple score points with two letter words on the Scrabble board. She dealt with life with a bright smile and sparkling eyes, something she never lost through her Alzheimer’s struggle. In recent years Jean lived with her son, Brian Yorck, and his wife, Diane (Boice) at their Claverack home. As her Alzheimer’s progressed, she moved to Pine Haven Nursing facility in Philmont, NY where nurses and staff provided a safe, comforting home. Besides Brian and Diane, Jean is survived by a daughter, Jean Yorck of South Glens Falls, and a son and daughter-in-law, Michael Yorck and Eve-Lynn (Walker) of Colchester, VT. Additionally she leaves behind 6 grandchildren: Jennifer, Amanda and Elizabeth Yorck and Eric, David and Ryan Nichols; and 3 great grandchildren, Asia Rippy and Warren and Sylvia Mosher. She was pre-deceased by her son, Harold Yorck, Jr., and a grandson, Shawn Devin Nichols. Jean also leaves behind two dear, long-time friends, Hank and Babs Croteau of Claverack, and a special sister-in-law, Lillian Willis of Gansevoort, NY. Calling hours will be at Bates and Anderson Funeral home on Green Street in Hudson on Wednesday from 4-7pm, with a celebration of Jean’s life on Thursday at 11 am at the funeral home, followed by internment in the Cedar Park Cemetery in Hudson, NY. A luncheon at the West Ghent Fire House will follow. Those wishing to make memorial contributions may do so to the charity of their choice.