Tracy M. (McGrath) Neitzel

VIEW THE CELEBRATION OF LIFE BELOW

Brunswick - Tracy M. Neitzel, 73, died Wednesday, December 18, 2024, at her residence after a brief illness.

Born in Fall River, MA, she was the daughter of the late John McGrath and Jane Amorosa McGrath and wife of more than 40 years of Owen K. S. Neitzel. She was raised in South Orange, NJ and had resided in the Troy area since 1984. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from the Pratt Institute in Brooklyn.

Tracy was the Executive Director of Joseph's House & Shelter in Troy for 22 years and was a passionate advocate for the provision of nonjudgmental services to end homelessness. After her retirement from Joseph's House in 2012, she continued her work in the field by providing grant writing and consultant services to a variety of supportive housing not-for-profits. Additionally, she was a member of the Board of Directors for the Mental Health Empowerment Program. 

She enjoyed golfing with her husband, Owen, knitting her self-proclaimed "lumpy" blankets, and baking. She loved synchronized swimming and coached the sport for years -- she would often joke that she was putting her Fine Arts degree to good use by designing competition suits for the swimmers. Tracy loved traveling and going on new adventures with her sister, Kyle. She frequently said she was happiest sitting on the shore of Cape Cod Bay during her family's annual trips to North Truro, MA.

Survivors in addition to her husband include a daughter, Sara J. Neitzel (Sean Gavaghan), Brunswick; two grandchildren, Conor and Imogen Neitzel Gavaghan; and a sister, Kyle McGrath, Sheffield, England.

Tracy was a force of nature and will be missed terribly.

Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home Inc., 276 Pawling Avenue, Troy on Monday, December 23 from 3:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. A celebration of life will follow immediately thereafter.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Tracy M. Neitzel to Joseph's House & Shelter, 74 Ferry Street, Troy, NY 12180.  We recommend using the brycefuneralhome.com website to share or send condolences, light a candle, view videos, or for service directions.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Tracy M. (McGrath) Neitzel, please visit our floral store.