Mary ‘Gay’ Agnes Cyr Seifried
Mary Agnes Cyr Seifried of St. Augustine, Florida, affectionately known as Gay, was a beacon of love and faith who graced this world with her presence from Sept. 11, 1926, until her peaceful passing, surrounded by family and friends on Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, at the home of her daughter and son-in-law in Pflugerville, Texas. Gay’s life was a true testament to the beauty of a life well lived.
Gay was born in Lyons Falls. Graduating as valedictorian of her high school class, her educational pursuit in Industrial Arts at Oswego Teachers College was a testament to her love of learning and pioneering spirit in a field that was, at the time, unconventional for women. She had a passion for cooking and was very proud of her national prizewinning Taco Tureen Soup recipe. Gay was active in her community and an avid golfer and bridge player. She loved to create with her mind and hands through painting, building and organizing. In her final years, she completed almost 300 puzzles.
In her Catholic faith, Gay found solace and strength. Her steadfast beliefs guided her through life’s trials and triumphs. Gay’s life was a reflection of these enduring virtues, with love being the most evident in her relationships with family and friends. Gay’s marriage to Ernest “Ernie” Seifried Jr. was a partnership of nearly 69 years grounded in love, devotion and resilience. They raised their family in Saranac Lake, retiring to St. Augustine, Florida in 1986. Gay devoted herself to caring for Ernie post-stroke for 15 years until his death in 2015.
She will be lovingly remembered by her six children: E. William (Ardie) of Watertown; Randall (Ann) of Oswego; Scott (Lisa) of Wilson, North Carolina; Judith Percy (Patrick) of Pflugerville, Texas; Susan Maxwell (Jack) of Lynchburg, Virginia; Russell (Sheila) of Saranac Lake; sister Gladys Hartness of Honolulu, Hawaii; and sisters-in-law Beverly Seifried and Nancy Weston. She will be deeply missed by her grandchildren: Brenda (Jason) Levine, Barb (Pete) Rogers, Kelly (Rick) Naumiec, Carey (Scott) Poe, Laurie (David) Frasca, Randy Jr. (Vicki) Seifried, Rebecca Seifried, Scott Seifried, Hailee Seifried, Aaron (Melissa) Percy, Tara (Kris) Maxwell, Clayton (Ashley) Maxwell, Breonna (Carl) Smith, Shane (LuAnn) O’Neil; special friends Ron and Juanita Bissell and Carolyn Ross; caregiver Geena Thankachan; as well as numerous great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends.
She is preceded in death by her parents Anna and Marcial Cyr, her sister Muriel Hume, great-grandson Damien Percy and brothers-in-law Daniel Seifried, Donald Seifried, Donald Hume and John Hartness.
As we gather to honor and remember Mary Agnes Cyr Seifried, we celebrate the gift of her life and the countless ways she enriched ours. Her spirit, now free from the confines of dementia, soars beyond the skies, painting the heavens with the colors of her soul. Though she has departed from our sight, her light remains, a guiding star in the firmament of our memories.
To honor and celebrate Gay’s life, a Funeral Mass will be held at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Catholic Church, Pflugerville, on Friday, Nov. 7, at 12:30 p.m., preceded by a visitation at noon. A Memorial Mass and Graveside Services will be held in the spring at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church and Cemetery, Saranac Lake.
Arrangements are being handled by Beck Funeral Home in Pflugerville and Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Gay’s memory to the Cure Alzheimer’s Fund, curealz.org/outreach/in-memory/mary-agnes-cyr-seifried/. If sending flowers, the family would appreciate receiving them in the spring for the Graveside Services.