Elaine Marie Gedeiko

Elaine Marie “Ma” Gedeiko of West Nyack, NY died peacefully on Tuesday April 28, 2026. She was born on September 29th, 1941 in Ridgewood NJ to Marie and Stephen Koller. Elaine was the oldest of six siblings. Her own Mom passed away when she was 15, leaving her to help her Dad raise her younger brothers and sisters. Elaine graduated from St Luke’s High School, then the Eastern School of Physicians Aides. After working in New York City, she found her way to Piermont, NY where she worked for Continental Can. It was while working here that she met the love of her life Matthew “Buzzy” PopPop” Gedeiko. After a whirlwind romance, they were married on September 26th, 1964 and moved to Tappan, NY. In February of 1965, Elaine came home from work to find Buzzy drinking beer and playing cards with his buddies. In her no nonsense spirt, she lovingly informed him that she was expecting their first child and that “he’d better get off his ass and get to work”! And so it began. Ma and PopPop worked side by side building a beautiful family along with a successful business. They soon settled in West Nyack where they raised their three children. Matthew, Lynette and Joseph. This house became a “home” to all who knew them. It became the place to be through high school and beyond. The countless Christmas and New Year’s Eve Parties as well as basement keg parties. Ma welcomed all with a tray of her famous ziti and strict orders to remove all high heels before walking on her wood floors. Elaine was a devoted mother and a proud matriarch whose strength and guidance shaped generations to come. She spent those early days dividing her time between work and home. Oftentimes dragging us kids to the shop in her baby blue Coup De Ville! Ma was an avid outdoorsman with a passion for fishing. Always willing to follow Buzzy to Alaska, Venezuela, Mexico and most often Rhode Island. Where ever the fish were biting. She wouldn’t hesitate to jump in the car after a long day of work to chase this passion. “C’mon Elaine are you packed?”, was constantly heard echoing throughout our home. Ma would often be found catching fish bigger than her and most times, outfishing PopPop! Ma also had a love for speed and in her younger years could be found drag racing Buzzy’s Corvette or her Tempest down Rte 303. She developed quite a knack for talking her way out of speeding tickets. With their own two hands, a vision and lot’s of child labor, together Ma and PopPop built the Big Cabin. An extraordinary place where her family and friends spend countless weekends working, playing and enjoying each other. It was here where you could always find Ma winding down at the end of the day with a “Matthew” made Black Russian. Ma was a lady of very strong opinions and she’d never hesitate to share those with everyone around her. If she didn’t like something, you knew it! She was strong with her children, soft with her Grandchildren and loving with her Great Grandchildren. Ma will be missed by her adoring children Matthew and Michele Gedeiko, Lynette and Albert Argenio, and Joseph and Courtney Gedeiko. Her Grandchildren, Jesse and Danielle, Sophia and Derek, Casey, Albie, Joe Jr, Allie, Michael, Smiley, and Johnny. Along with her three Great Grandchildren, Jesse Jr, Chase, and Saylor. She will also be missed by her siblings, Theresa, Mike and Jeanne, Frank, Kevin and Diana Koller and Deenya and Bill Soman as well as countless nieces and nephews. Ma will always be remembered not only for the family she built, but for the love she gave so fiercely. Her legacy lives on in her loving family and her countless stories. Services will be held at the Joseph W.Sorce Funeral Home in West Nyack, NY on Thursday April 30th from 4:00-8:00PM A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday April 30th, 2026 at 9:30 AM St Catharine’s Roman Catholic Church in Blauvelt NY

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Elaine Marie Gedeiko

September 29, 1941 - April 28, 2026