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Ethelyn Slack Clearwater - Class of 1945

Submitted by Fran Olson Gustafson 1965 <fgustafson917@gmail.com> on 18/Feb/2026
71.223.130.53

    Ethelyn Marie Slack Clearwater was born on November 9, 1928 in St. Luke's Hospital Newburgh NY to parents Fred and Hetty(Clegg) Slack.

Ethelyn was pre-deceased by her Siblings Wilbur Slack, Muriel Kissam, William Slack and Eleanor Cassasanta.

She lived and grew up at 370 First Street in the City of Newburgh, NY. She attended Newburgh schools including Broadway, North Junior High and Newburgh Free Academy.

Ethelyn worked at Schoonmakers in the music department where she met her future husband Edward Clearwater.

Ethelyn liked to bowl and was on many teams which won many trophies. Ethelyn was an accomplished self taught piano player. She learned to play the piano watching her older brother who was taking lessons. She would practice his lessons after the piano teacher left. She enjoyed playing card games like pinochle. She also enjoyed crocheting, needle point and knitting.

She worked for George M. Carol as a bus driver for special needs children. She taught the children on the bus many songs that they would sing on their way to and from school.

Ethelyn loved to read, do crossword puzzles, sudoku and watch the news followed by Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy. Everyone knew not to call grandma during Jeopardy. She also watched all the old western tv shows. She loved chips ahoy chocolate chip cookies and graham crackers dunked in her tea. She ended her day with a bowl of ice cream every night. Naturally curious she studied literature and writing at Orange County Community College.

Ethelyn loved entertaining her grandchildren at her pool and making campfires to talk around and tell stories. Everyone enjoyed her infectious laughter and great smile.

After Ethelyn married, she lived at Orange Lake for many years and wintered in Florida after she and her husband retired.

Ethelyn and Edward had 3 children; Carol Malkush of Cutchogue, NY; Edward Clearwater of Vero Beach FL and Fredric Clearwater of Newburgh NY. Ethelyn has 10 grandchildren and 14 great grandchildren.

A graveside service will take place on February 21st at 11:00am at the Cedar Hill Mausoleum located at 5468 Rte 9W, Newburgh, NY 12550. - November 9, 1928 ~ January 31, 2026

In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the American Cancer Society.