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Obituaries 12-20-12

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Pauline Mary Bosset

BERNE — Flowers, jars, rowboats, barns, and British buses — Pauline Bosset painted quiet, still objects, remaining loyal to her eye, her country, and her family.

Pauline Mary Bosset died peacefully on Saturday Dec. 15, 2012, at the Community Hospice of Albany County. She was 86.

Mrs. Bosset’s oil paintings have been rotated at the Altamont Key Bank for years, and have won prizes at the Altamont Fair amateur painters’ contests. Her husband, George Bosset, says the precious ones are hanging at his home.

“She did it primarily for her own enjoyment,” said Mr. Bosset on Tuesday. “As a matter of fact, today, my daughter took one of them home with her, again. I’ve got what I want right here.”

Born in London, Mrs. Bosset was evacuated to Wales during the Second World War, later staying in the south London suburb of Norbury.

Mr. Bosset was a young man from New Jersey working in London as a gofer at an American military base for the 8th Airborne. Standing in line for a movie, a woman overheard him speak.

“This American woman turned around and said, ‘You sound like you’re from New York.’ I said, ‘No, New Jersey,’ and she said, ‘Close enough.’”

The woman was Mrs. Bosset’s friend who introduced the couple. Within the year, they agreed to marry as they were walking along the River Thames.

“We hit it off and we hit it off for 67 years,” said Mr. Bosset.

Mr. Bosset worked during the week for Essex County in New Jersey, driving up to Berne every weekend, where the couple had their home. The builder constructed the outside shell, including the fireplace and foundation, but the Bossets for 15 years filled it in with plaster, flooring, plumbing, and electrical work. Mrs. Bosset carefully refinished and stained the woodwork done by Mr. Bosset.

“She was wonderful,” said Mr. Bosset, recalling her talent with a brush.

Mrs. Bosset was a gardener and extended her aesthetic education to include pottery and cake decorating lessons.

After the Bossets married in England when Mrs. Bosset was around 18, they came to the United States in 1946.

Ever the British subject, Mrs. Bosset never became an American citizen.

“I never noticed her accent,” said Mr. Bosset. “I don’t, but anytime she spoke to someone they’d say, ‘You sound like you’re British.’”

Noting her sense of humor, Mr. Bosset recalled her common response to the question of whether, after so many years, she would become an American citizen: “You know, I don’t know whether I’m going to like it over here or not.”

The cats Mrs. Bosset loved and cared for are too many for Mr. Bosset to count, he said, and they are never around at the same time. Her paintings have similarly been distributed and have taken new homes with friends and family.

“I don’t ever remember having an argument with her,” said Mr. Bosset. “There was no point in it.”

****

Pauline Mary Bosset is survived by her husband, George, to whom she was married for 67 years, as well as by her three children, Robert Bosset of Schenectady, Frances Brown of Berne, and Jacqueline Moore of Berne; three grandchildren; and one great-granddaughter.

Arrangements are by the Meyers Funeral Home at 741 Delaware Ave. in Delmar. She requested there be no service. Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Hospice of Albany County, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, N.Y. 12205, or to the Alzheimer’s Association, Northeastern New York Chapter, 85 Watervliet Ave., Albany, N.Y. 12206.

– Marcello Iaia

James F. Reed

obituary james reed-webGUILDERLAND — James F. Reed, a Vietnam War veteran who married his high school sweetheart and enjoyed coaching Little League sports and helping the elderly, died unexpectedly on Sunday Dec. 16, 2012. He was 68.

Known to friends as Jimmy, he referred to his mother, Hazel M. Reed, as “a local nursing home legend.” She owned the Guilderland Center Nursing Home, where Jimmy Reed became an administrator.

Mr. Reed was a lifelong Guilderland resident and a 1962 Guilderland High School graduate. He served in the United States Air Force as a radar controller during the Vietnam era, after which he attended Bethel College and Junior College of Albany.

Mr. Reed married his high school sweetheart, Donna (Kiernan) Reed in 1969. The two met in high school when he was 17 years old.

“He was my best friend, my everything, forty-three years was not enough time,” said his wife.

“When I first saw him, he was playing basketball on the court,” recalled Mrs. Reed, reflecting on her days as a student at Guilderland High School.

In his own words, before his death, Mr. Reed wrote, “Donna, who had given me so much more than I deserve. Truer words were never spoken.”

Mr. Reed was a long-term president and administrator of the Guilderland Center Nursing Home from about 1970 to 1990. He believed the facility’s outstanding reputation was the result of the loyal and dedicated staff working there.

He was the former long-term President of the New York State Health Facilities District 5 and the New York State Health Facilities board member.  

“He was brought up in that business, his mother started a nursing home with just 12 beds,” said Donna Reed. “As a little boy coming home from school, about eight or nine, he helped serve dinner to residents.”

Mr. Reed was a former President of the Guilderland Chamber of Commerce in its early, formative years. He was an avid coach of the champion Pine Bush Little League and of the Pine Bush Softball League. He was active with the Capital District Soccer Club and the Soccer Select Team, which traveled internationally. He was the co-founder of the Guilderland Lettermen Golf Classic, which is dedicated to Guilderland athletes’ collegiate scholarships.

“He loved working with kids and helping the elderly. He always volunteered and was involved in all kinds of sports, “ said Mrs. Donna Reed.

Mr. Reed had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge and spent a great deal of time at the library, where he researched various topics depending on which book he was reading, he wife said.

Mr. Reed was devoted to his family dogs that were always waiting at the door for him to return home.

He will always be remembered for his compassion for the elderly and kids. “Everyone who knew him knew that,” said his wife. “He was so proud of the nursing home staff he worked with.”

****

Mr. Reed is survived by his wife, Donna; his daughter, Jill Sheehan and her husband, James; his son, James F. Reed II and his wife, Jamie; and four grandchildren, Morgan K. Reed of New City and Quinn, Riley and Kieran Sheehan of Hingham, Mass.

Family and friends are invited to a graveside memorial service at 10:30 a.m., Today, Dec. 20, at the Saratoga National Cemetery. Mr. Reed will be buried with full military honors.

Memorial donations may be sent to St. Jude’s Church, Post Office Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN 38148, Contribution # 32289509, or to Guilderland Lettermen Foundation, 215 Vincenva Lane, Schenectady, NY 12303.

— Tyler Murphy

Denise M. Shutter

 ALTAMONT — Denise M. Shutter, a loving wife, mother, and grandmother, died on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012. She was 56.

Mrs. Shutter was an Auxiliary member of the American Legion Post 1493 of Voorheesvile for over 25 years.

“Denise spent the last few years at home, where she enjoyed being with her family, traveling, cooking, and making sure everyone was well taken care of,” wrote her family in a tribute. They also wrote she was “an amazing grandmother.”

She is survived by her husband, William J. Shutter II; her children, Darshane, Jayden, and William III; her grandchildren, Payton and Amelia; her parents, Donald G. Duncan Sr. and Mae E. Duncan; her brothers, Darrell, Don Jr., Darrin; and her sisters, Debbie, Dodie, and Dee.

A funeral service was held at the Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont on Dec. 17. Interment was at the Prospect Hill Cemetery in Guilderland.

Patricia Ann Tymchyn

GUILDERLAND — Outgoing and caring, Patricia Ann Tymchyn was as energetic line dancing as she was baking or making crafts.

She “went to her eternal rest, surrounded by her loving and devoted family” on Wednesday, Dec. 12, 2012, her family wrote in a tribute.

She was born on Jan. 28, 1941 in Albany, the daughter of the late Alton and Blanche Fisher La Roche, and late stepmother, Evangeline La Roche.

In 1958, she graduated from Vincentian Institute in Albany. Her working career included employment with Travelers Insurance, Friendly Hometoy Parties, and Georgia Pacific, where she met the love of her life, Walter J. Tymchyn.

“It was love at first sight for me,” said Mr. Tymchyn. He was working for Georgia Pacific as a trucker when he met the secretary who would change his life.

“She was a terrific wife and mother, none better,” he said. “She was very outgoing, caring, giving to a lot of people.”

One of the couple’s favorite activities was teaching line dancing in and around Albany. Through their “Get in Line and Dance” company, they met and made many friends.

“She was a terrific dancer when I stayed off her toes,” said her husband with a chuckle.

He said she also liked to do crossword puzzles.

Mrs. Tymchyn was devoted to animals, particularly her beagle, Lucy. “We’ve had her since she was eight weeks old; she’ll be six in February,” said Mr. Tymchyn. The love between his wife and Lucy “went two ways,” he said. “The dog was very protective of her.”

Mrs. Tymchyn’s daughter, Stacie Ann Farina, said, “She was the epitome of a perfect mom…You never went without hugs and kisses.”

She was very energetic and enthusiastic, her daughter said. “When we had school field trips, she was always the first one to go,” she said.

Mrs. Farina went on, “She taught me how to bake when I was so small I was tripping over the apron on the floor. And she got me into arts and crafts.”

When Mrs. Farina was a girl, her mother was the “craft lady” for her Girl Scout troop. “I could never surprise her with a craft like the other girls,” she said.

The mother-daughter duo went to many craft fairs over the years. “She sewed. She made doll clothes. She made clothes for my dolls, for me, and for herself,” said Mrs. Farina.

Mrs. Tymchyn made the holidays fun. Around Halloween, for example, she brought out cookie cutters in the shape of pumpkins, ghosts, and witches. She’d make white sugar cookies with an egg-yolk glaze. She’d put dye into the glaze in different colors. “We’d use our paintbrushes to dip in and decorate the cookies,” said her daughter.

Mrs. Tymchyn relished many experiences. She loved taking a pontoon boat ride in Saratoga, her daughter said, and was equally thrilled with front-row tickets to see The Will Rogers Follies, a surprise gift from the Farinas.

Mrs. Farina went on to fondly recall one adventure she had with her mother. “We both read a book set in the 1890s about Maggie, an Irish house servant in Glens Falls who was murdered,” she said. “One Mother’s Day, she said, ‘Let’s find Maggie.’ We went to all the cemeteries in the area on a hunt for her grave….We found Maggie.”

Mrs. Tymchyn, who was known for her beautiful floral arrangements, left a bouquet on Maggie’s grave.

“She always had a lot of empathy and compassion for everybody else,” said Mrs. Farina. “At the hospital, her last evening, she was apologizing to the staff for putting them out…She said there must be people who were sicker who needed tending to.”

Mrs. Farina concluded of her mother, “She was always hands-on and arms-around.”

****

She is survived by her husband and best friend of 42 years, Walter Tymchyn; her sister and brother-in-law, Ida and Robert Trollinger of San Antonio, Texas; her sisters-in-law, Gloria Rice and Elizabeth Staroba; her sons, John M. Tymchyn of Connecticut  and Scott A. Tymchyn of Guilderland; her daughter and son-in-law, Stacie Ann and Nick Farina of Stephentown; and many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews.

Her brother, George Kenneth La Roche, died before her.

Her family gives heartfelt thanks to the staff at Albany Memorial Hospital and Albany Dialysis Center for their care, kindness, and love.

At the request of Mrs. Tymchyn and her family, there will be no calling hours. A memorial service will be held to celebrate her life. Friends and family are invited to the Church at the Crossroads, State Route 43 in Stephentown, for 5 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 22. Arrangements are by Newcomer Cannon Funeral Home in Colonie. Mourners may leave online messages for the family at www.NewcomerAlbany.com.

Mrs. Tymchyn requested donations be made to Steve Caporizzo’s Pet Connection, 341 Northern Boulevard, Albany, NY 12204 or to local chapters of the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

— Melissa Hale-Spencer

Kathleen E. Kaiser

obit kathleen e kaiser-webKathleen E. Kaiser, a social worker, died unexpectedly at home while attending to her pets — Rusty, Liam, and Sophie — on Monday, Dec. 17, 2012. She was 60.

“She was hand-feeding Rusty last night,” said her partner, Andrew Tinning, referring to one of their three dogs. “Rusty hadn’t been feeling well. She just fell over and never came up.”

Mr. Tinning went on to describe his partner as “an incredibly alive person, and very loving.”

Born on Sept. 12, 1952 in Schenectady, Ms. Kaiser was the daughter of the late Melvin and Esther Fry. Her father worked for the post office, and her mother died when she was 7, said her sister, Charlotte Giardino.

Ms. Giardino described her sister as “a wonderful cook and homemaker.”

She went on, “She loved recipes.” One of her specialties was spinach brownies; another was homemade stuffing.

“She used spices she grew herself,” said her sister. “Her and Andy gardened together and grew their own vegetables.”

Ms. Giardino went on, “She was versatile in home decorating. Every time I visited, her house would be set up differently….She had an appreciation of antiques. She would find little trinkets at a garage sale and know the value of them.”

Ms. Kaiser was employed at Ellis Hospital for 12 years as a social worker and, before that, had worked with victims of domestic violence.

She worked with psychiatric patients, said her supervisor at Ellis, Claire Wieman. “She gravitated towards really supporting the vulnerable.” Throughout her career, Ms. Weiman said, “She was an advocate for those who were abused or neglected.”

Ms. Weiman went on, “It’s a very taxing, tiring job and she did it even when she wasn’t feeling good. She never complained.”

“It was very demanding work,” agreed Mr. Tinning.

Ms. kaiser enjoyed getting away on cruises. The couple took a cruise in the Thousand Islands, and also cruised Glimmerglass Lake on one of their frequent trips to Cooperstown as well as taking overnight cruises out of New York City. They also enjoyed a trip to Niagara Falls, Mr. Tinning said.

“She loved to travel, cook for her family, spend time with her children and pets, and participate in local activities in the Altamont area,” her family wrote in a tribute.

Ms. Kaiser was artistic since she was a child, her sister said. She enjoyed traveling to art museums, Mr. Tinning said, naming several they had visited.

“She was very knowledgeable,” her sister said. “She read quite a bit….She liked to read self-improvement books to increase her knowledge.”

Ms. Giardino concluded, “She was a very loving sister and aunt. We had many good times together….She was very generous, very giving.”

****

She is survived by her children, William and Nora Cummings; her partner, Andrew Tinning; her sister, Charlotte Giardino and her husband, Rich; her brothers Bill Fry, Jim Fry and his wife, Peggy, and John Fry and his wife, Denise.

Her brother Ray Fry died before her.

Family and friends are invited to calling hours on Friday, Dec. 21, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fredendall Funeral Home at 199 Main Street in Altamont with a funeral service to follow at 8 p.m.

Memorial donations may be made to the American Heart Association or a local chapter of choice of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

The family extends a special thanks to the Altamont Rescue Squad and the staff at the Ellis Hospital Emergency Room.

—Melissa Hale-Spencer

Elinore R. Lawyer

obituary e. lawyer -webVOORHEESVILLE — Cooking for a crowd was something that Elinore R. Lawyer grew into. She first raised seven children and then worked in three cafeterias around the area.

Mrs. Lawyer died on Monday, Dec. 16, 2012, at the hospice at St. Peter’s Hospital. She was 88.

“She didn’t have an easy life, but she was a hard worker,” said her daughter, Phyllis Mazone.

Janet Shultes, another of her children, echoed the sentiment, saying of the family, “We didn’t have a lot, but we had each other. We had good parents.”

Mrs. Lawyer was born in Cleveland, Ohio and moved with her parents, the late Phillip and Effie Georgia, to the Schoharie Valley as a girl.

It was at a church dance there that she met her husband, the late Clinton Lawyer. The pair married in 1941 and Mr. Lawyer soon shipped out to fight in World War II. He didn’t see his first child until she was 2 years old, when he returned from overseas.

Mr. Lawyer got a job at the Duffy Mott cider mill in Voorheesville, where the family settled.

Mrs. Lawyer first got a job in the cafeteria of the Army Depot, said Mrs. Shultes, and then went on to work at the Empire State Plaza and the Voorheesville school district.

She had always prepared all of the quarry from her husband’s hunting and fishing trips, said Mrs. Mazone, and she would treat her family to slaughter popeye, a thick chicken dumpling stew, Mrs. Shultes said.

She also delighted her children and grandchildren with fudge and cream candies.

Mrs. Lawyer liked being around the kids in the school cafeteria, Mrs. Shultes said, and she made good friends in the kitchen.

“She was a quiet person,” said Mrs. Shultes, but the family’s house was always full of people. Mrs. Lawyers was an understanding person, someone who cared about people and put herself on the line to help them.

Mrs. Lawyer and her husband always remained fond of the Schoharie Valley and would frequently go there on day trips, their daughters said. “They always had the love of the land,” said Mrs. Mazone.

****

Mrs. Lawyer is survived by her children: Phyllis Mazone and her husband, Joseph; Clinton J. Lawyer Jr.; Janet Shultes and her husband, Robert; Pauline Lawyer and her partner, Spencer Flansburg; and Esther Klopfer and her husband, George.

Her husband, Clinton Lawyer, died in 2006. Her children, William and Frances Lawyer, also died before her.

A memorial service was held at noon on Dec. 19 at the New Comer Cannon Funeral Home in Colonie, with interment in the Prospect Hill Cemetery in Guilderland. A message for the family may be left at www.NewComerAlbany.com.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205.

—Saranac Hale Spencer

Herbert G. Schaible

obit herbert schiable-webALTAMONT — A religious man and a World War II veteran, Herbert G. Schaible worked in the lumber industry and was devoted to his family.

He died on Monday, Dec. 17, 2012, after a long battle with Parkinson’s disease. He was 85.

He was born in the old Severson house on Brandle Road in Altamont on June 29, 1927 to Blanche and Fred Schaible. “When Herb was born, his father, Fred, and Dr. Cullen were fishing at Warners Lake, so Herb was delivered by a midwife, Annie Reed,” his family wrote in a tribute.

He graduated from Altamont High School in 1945. Mr. Schaible then enlisted in the Army in September 1945; he attended the Armored Services School, at Fort Knox in Kentucky. He achieved the rank of technician 4th grade and spent his last year of service in Italy.

After coming home from the war, Mr. Schaible attended Albany Business College. After, he was hired as a bookkeeper for the Ward G. Ackerman Lumber Company. He spent his professional career in the lumber industry. After working at Ward G. Ackerman, he was employed by Paulson Lumber and Millwork Specialties. He retired at the age of 65.

Mr. Schaible married Barbara (Bobbie) Joan Mattice from Warners Lake on July 14, 1951. They had three children.

Mr. Schaible and his family enjoyed many years of camping and traveling with Kelly and Jackie Warner and their family of Altamont.

For 75 years, Mr. Schaible was a devout member of the Altamont Reformed Church. He sang in the choir for over 51 years and served as the Sunday School superintendent and teacher, and was also the youngest person elected to the consistory.

Mr. Schaible was also a member of the American Legion Boyd Hilton Post for over 50 years. He served in many roles at the post, including commander. “He will be most remembered at the post for his 40 years of conducting and calling bingo every Tuesday night,” his family wrote.

Mr. Schaible served both the church and legion, by working for many years at the Altamont Fair, for the Church Restaurant and American Legion Food Booth.

After retiring, Mr. Schaible became a member of the Altamont Senior Citizens, and drove the Senior Van for a number of years.

During his free time, he loved to play cards, especially poker, pinochle, and rummy. He also enjoyed fishing, playing golf, pitching horseshoes, and reading Westerns, especially those written by Louis Lamour.

****

Mr. Schaible is survived by his wife of 61 years, Barbara (Bobbie) Joan Mattice Schaible; his three children and their spouses, Ruth Pollard and her husband, James, of Altamont, Barbara Lynn Bradt and her husband, Douglas, of Scotia, and Mark Schaible and his wife, Kathy, of Esperance; and his four grandchildren, Amy Pollard, Brian Pollard, Amanda Schaible, and Abby Schaible.

His brother Harold Schaible, who had lived in Nebraska, died before him as did his brother, Robert (Bob) Schaible, who had lived in Berne, and his sister, Marion Schaible, who had lived in Altamont. He is survived by his brother Howard (Howie) Schaible of Washington.

Mr. Schaible’s family thanks the entire staff at Baptist Health Nursing Rehabilitation Center “for the loving care and compassion they gave to Herb over the last two-and-a-half years.”

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a celebration of his life on Saturday, Dec. 22, at 1 p.m. at the Altamont Reformed Church at 129 Lincoln Avenue in Altamont. Burial will be held in the spring. Arrangements are by the Fredendall Funeral Home of Altamont.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Altamont Reformed Church Choir Fund at Post Office Box 671, Altamont, NY 12009.