Martha Brandt

Rensselaer- Martha Theresa Reinhardt Brandt, (Margie), 88, Rensselaer, NY. Departed this life peacefully in Albany Medical Center comfort care unit with her daughter by her side on Friday 1/15/21 after a brief struggle with COVID-19. Born in Albany, NY, she was the daughter of late Lena (Horwedel) and Jacob Reinhardt. She grew up on Garden Street, Albany NY with her 8 siblings, in the late 1950’s at a State bank of Albany Christmas party she met her soon to be husband, Howard F. Brandt of Watervliet, NY. They fell madly in love, eloped, and started their life together. She was nicknamed “Tootsie”. She gave birth to one child, Cheryl, and raised her in Watervliet NY. Over the years they built a pool, with the aid of the men in the family, in the backyard to the dismay of Howards mother Josephine who lived on the ground floor of the home. It is there that they held holiday and summer parties including a luau complete with grass skirts and leis! Fun time had by all! Margie loved to kid around and make others laugh! She was fun loving and extremely family oriented. When her granddaughter was born, she was over the moon. Margie and Howard were proud grandparents. Margie was a homemaker but did work for her mother-in-law Josephine part time at Doherty and McElroy a dress shop in downtown Troy, NY for a few years. In 1988 her husband of 30 years, died suddenly and her world was turned upside down until a longtime friend expressed his love for her and then again, she was blessed in love for another 25 years. She moved out of her longtime home in Watervliet and moved to Rensselaer, NY. Tony and Margie lived across the hall from one another for years and would enjoy travel and spending their lives together until his death. According to Tony she was his “shining star.” Thanks be to God that Peppy, Nicole, David, and Margie had last Thanksgiving together. She was survived by her daughter Cheryl A. Brandt of Boynton Beach. FL, granddaughter Nicole E. Cebula, her sister Marion (Peppy) Schafer, her nieces and nephews David Schafer, Susan Ikenhofer, Betsy Abraham, Carol Forezzi, Linda Forezzi, Keith Vincent, Terry Vrooman, Robert Vrooman, Jessica Reinhardt, and several grand nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her Husband, Howard F. Brandt, her longtime partner Anthony Zembrello, her siblings, Marie Albert, Joan Vrooman, Pearl Forezzi, Kathleen (Kate) Niles, Robert Reinhardt, Edna (Honey) Vincent, and John Reinhardt. Due to the pandemic and safety being a priority, a private viewing for family will be held at Lyons Funeral Home on Thursday, January 21, at 11:00am, followed by a public procession and burial in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery at noon. Everyone is invited to join in the procession to the cemetery and are requested to meet at the funeral home by 11:30. Flowers can be sent to Lyons Funeral Home, or donations can be made to the American Cancer Society. A Roman Catholic memorial mass and celebration of life will be announced and held once restrictions are lifted and it is safer to gather.