Advertisement. Advertise with us

IN MEMORIAM

Lady Ostapeck, 99

Photographer Beloved

In Cooperstown, County

Lady Ostapeck, the photographer whose history-inspired portraits made her beloved in the Cooperstown area, Otsego County and beyond, has passed away in Herkimer, where she resided in a nursing home for the past few years. She is holding a portrait of John Ramsey, Cooperstown, as a Scottish earl. Arrangements are with the Tillapaugh Funeral Home, Cooperstown. A full obituary will be forthcoming.  (Jim Kevlin photo from 2007)

EXHIBIT FEATURES PHOTOS BY LADY OSTAPECK, 89

LADY OSTAPECK TOASTED IN HER NATIVE FINLAND

PORTRAIT ARCHIVE  FROM PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER

Lady Ostapeck, Interviewed By Nick Argyros,

Gave This Outline Of Early Life, Local Career

Editor's Note: This biographical outline was prepared by Nick Argyros, director of the Photography Center of the Capital District in Troy and a champion of Lady Ostapeck's work.

Lady and her father

• Alma "Lady" Ostapeck, born 2/22/18, Brooklyn NY to Esa Kaukinen
• Father recently arrived from Finland
• Mother died a few days after birth, father went to northwest (Washington?) for lumbering, and possibly to avoid World War I draft.
• Raised for 2 years by mother's sister in Brooklyn, Conn., a Finnish enclave.
• Aunt and family murdered by deranged axe-wielding neighbor farmer, who spared the baby.

You have reached your limit of 3 free articles

To Continue Reading

 

Our hard-copy and online publications cover the news of Otsego County by putting the community back into the newspaper. We are funded entirely by advertising and subscriptions. With your support, we continue to offer local, independent reporting that is not influenced by commercial or political ties.

Posted

Tags

Related Articles

Time Out Otsego: 02-25-26

HISTORICAL SOCIETY—5:30 p.m. Potluck followed by historical show and tell, then regular meeting of the Fly Creek Historical Society. All welcome. Fly Creek Methodist Church, 852 County Route 26, Fly Creek. (802) 345-5406 or https://www.facebook.com/p/Fly-Creek-Area-Historical-Society-100077445521390/…
February 24, 2026

In Memoriam: Linda Mae Rexroth

Linda Rexroth of San Clemente, California (April 1, 1934-January 6, 2026) died on January 6, 2026 in a skilled nursing facility where she was being cared for since she broke her pelvis in October 2025. Linda was the daughter of Fred and Mary Dulin and lived in Fly Creek...…
January 26, 2026

In Memoriam: Sheila M. Ross

Sheila M. Ross, a lifelong area resident long active in Republican politics, peacefully entered into eternal life early Saturday morning, January 3, 2026, at Cooperstown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing. She was 79.…
January 6, 2026

PUTTING THE COMMUNITY BACK INTO THE NEWSPAPER

For a limited time, new annual subscriptions to the hard copy of “The Freeman’s Journal” or “Hometown Oneonta” (which also includes unlimited access to AllOtsego.com), or digital-only access to AllOtsego.com, can also give back to one of their favorite Otsego County charitable organizations.

$5.00 of your subscription will be donated to the nonprofit of your choice: Friends of the Feral-TNR, Super Heroes Humane Society, or Susquehanna Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals 

Visit our “subscribe” page and select your charity of choice at checkout

SUBSCRIBE