Annette Kreitsek, 82, of Clay, NY passed away peacefully after a long illness on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at Upstate Community General Hospital.  Born July 25, 1939 in Manhattan, NY, Annette was the daughter of Jack and Ann Gabriel. One of her fondest memories was driving from New York to San Francisco at a young age with her family, where her father worked in the shipyards during the latter part of World War II. After the war, her family moved back to New York, spending some time in Brooklyn before settling down in the Throgs Neck section of the Bronx, where Annette grew up and developed her no-nonsense attitude.

She worked at Metropolitan Life in Manhattan, where she met her future husband of over 57 years, Howard F. Kreitsek (deceased). They lived in the College Point neighborhood of Queens, NY where they had three children. When the family outgrew their brownstone apartment in Queens, they purchased a house on Long Island and spent three years there before relocating to Liverpool, NY which became "home" for most of her life.

Annette enjoyed raising her children and employed a "tough love" philosophy so prevalent and effective in the 60's and 70s. She still found time to volunteer for various causes, was PTA president at her children's school, taught religious education and spent some time selling Avon products door-to-door. When her children were in high school, she re-entered the work force as a teller at Lincoln Bank (now Chase). Annette worked at various Lincoln branches throughout the Syracuse metropolitan area and enjoyed a series of promotions to head-teller, branch manager, district manager and finally bank vice-president at the time of her retirement in 1996.

After several years of wintering in Florida, she and Howard decided to relocate fulltime to the Plantation retirement community in Leesburg, where they resided for over 20 years until his passing in 2017. She enjoyed golf, travel, card games and cooking -- where pot roast & cream macaroni or liver & onions were the favorite requests of her sons when visiting.

Her pride and joy were her grandchildren and she enjoyed watching them grow up, supported them in their chosen activities and, when they were old enough, enjoyed an adult beverage with them from time to time.

Annette was a very positive person and never let things get her down. Her optimism was contagious and even during the latter stages of her illness she never let anyone know she was in pain. At the end of the day, she lived by her motto: "Everything will be fine!"

She is survived by her beloved daughter and best friend, Patricia Contant, sons, Howard J (Heather Carver) Kreitsek and Joseph (Meggan) Kreitsek, grandchildren; Katherine (Bryan) Lane, Jennifer Kreitsek, Nicole Contant, Howard A Kreitsek, Kimberly Contant, Marguerite Annette Kreitsek and Emily Kreitsek, great-granddaughter, Sofia Annette Lane, twin brother, Paul Gabriel sister, Florance (Steve) Ostaseski and several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to offer a special thanks to Sandy Hernandez for her friendship and care over the last several months.

A memorial service and celebration of Annette's life will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, those wishing to make a donation may send contributions in Annette's memory to Francis House, 108 Michaels Avenue, Syracuse, NY 13208 ( https://francishouseny.org/donate/general-giving/make-a-donation/ ).

Please sign the funeral home online guestbook for Annette to express your condolences to her family.