Earnestine "Earnie" Pietrykowski's Obituary
Earnestine "Earnie" Pietrykowski (née Price), 67, of Lakeport, NY, passed away on September 4, 2025, after an eight-year struggle with Posterior Cortical Atrophy — a rare form of dementia that took her cognitive abilities and her eyesight, but never her will to live, humor, or unwavering generosity.
Born on July 26, 1958, in Charleston, West Virginia, Earnie grew up in a humble and hardworking family. Her father, Everett, worked as a coal miner and a well driller while her mother, Evelyn, filled their home with love and resilience. The family later moved to Bradford, Pennsylvania, and then settled in Rochester, New York, where Earnie spent her school years. She was a spirited and driven student — active on the swim team and a proud member of the drum and bugle corps, where she played the French horn and flugelhorn.
Earnie was a woman of grit and grace. She put herself through college at the Rochester Institute of Technology, working multiple jobs while serving as a resident advisor. It was at RIT that she met the love of her life, Carl — the beginning of a 47-year partnership built on mutual admiration, laughter, and deep devotion.
After earning her bachelor’s degree in accounting, Earnie and Carl moved to Milwaukee, where she began her professional career with Miller Brewing Company. She quickly advanced, earning a promotion that brought her to the Miller brewery in Fulton, New York. In those busy years, she welcomed two children just eleven months apart, completed an MBA, and somehow still found time to serve her community as a board member for Oswego County Workforce Development and Leadership Oswego County.
Earnie brought brilliance, precision, and heart to every role she took on. At Birds Eye Foods, she rose to Plant Controller and later Human Resources Manager, overseeing payroll, benefits, and labor relations. Her colleagues knew her as an analytical thinker with a steady moral compass — fair, honest, and deeply empathetic. She was tough when she needed to be, yet always kind. Even when faced with the heartbreaking responsibility of closing the Fulton plant and laying off over 250 employees, she did so with compassion and integrity. She ended her career as Labor Relations Manager for the New York Power Authority, where her leadership and humanity left a lasting impression.
Beyond her professional achievements, Earnie was a force of nature in the lives of those who knew her. She was a devoted and nurturing mother — always her children’s biggest advocate, protector, and cheerleader. She was a loving, loyal wife who cherished Carl and the life they built together. She loved deeply and gave freely of herself to everyone around her. Whether it was helping a neighbor with a project, volunteering behind the scenes, or quietly offering support when someone needed it most, Earnie never thought of herself first — her selflessness was second nature.
She loved her neighbors like family and would do anything for them. Her warm smile and generous heart made her the center of every community she was part of. She lived with intention — steady and full of purpose — and carried both strength and softness in equal measure.
Earnie had a deep love for the outdoors and for life’s simple joys. She found peace boating on Oneida Lake, camping under the stars, or skiing down snowy slopes. She also loved to travel and especially enjoyed cruising. But it was never about the destination — it was always about the memories made and the people she shared them with.
She is survived by her husband of 45 years, Carl Pietrykowski; her beloved children, Joseph Pietrykowski (and his partner Lana Ulitskya) and Laurel Reiter (and her husband Nick); her grandchildren, Leo Pietrykowski, Elle Reiter, and Mae Reiter; and her brother, Bill Price (and his wife Linda). Her family was her pride and joy, and she gave them her all — every single day.
The family extends heartfelt thanks to the compassionate medical teams at Upstate Geriatrics and the Jewish Home of Central New York for the care and dignity they gave Earnie throughout her illness. In a final act of generosity, she donated her brain to a clinical trial to help advance the early detection of Alzheimer’s and related dementias — a fitting legacy for someone who always put others first.
The family is asking all who knew Earnie to join us at an informal gathering at the THOMAS J. PIRRO JR. FUNRAL HOME, 3401 Vickery Rd. (corner of Buckley Rd.) N. Syracuse, NY on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 12 to 3 PM. We will have plenty of pictures and memories, but more importantly will be the ones you bring to share! Please dress casually and festively to celebrate Earnie’s life - one well lived!
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Food Bank of Central New York, a cause especially close to Earnie’s heart.
Her legacy is one of fierce love, quiet strength, and unwavering generosity. Earnie will be remembered for her brilliant mind, her loyal heart, her sense of fun, and her gift for making everyone feel seen, heard, and valued. She will be deeply missed — and forever loved — by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
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