Grace L. Stott

RICHMONDVILLE — Grace Stott could be outgoing and enjoyed a good laugh, but she was mostly a gentle conversationalist who was focused on her two sons.

Ms. Stott died on Tuesday, Sept. 2, 2014, at Evergreen Commons nursing home in East Greenbush, following several years with Alzheimer’s disease. She was 95.

Born on July 27, 1919, in South Bethlehem, Ms. Stott was the daughter of James and Claire (née VanAlstyne) Pightling. She was sent to live and take classes at the House of the Good Shephard foundling home in Troy after her parents were divorced. Ms. Stott worked her entire career as a clerk for the state’s Department of Transportation, retiring at age 65.

The relationship between Ms. Stott and her mother was revived around the time she graduated from high school, later living above her mother’s apartment in Albany.

“She was very careful with her mother because she never had a whole lot,” said Evelyn Smith, who is married to Robert Smith, Ms. Stott’s half-brother, from their mother’s second marriage. The Smiths were among Ms. Stott’s closest relatives.

“She was like 16 years older than my husband,” said Mrs. Smith. “She was good to him when he was growing up.” Ms. Stott took her younger half-brother out for fun, like seeing a movie.

She and the Smiths visited regularly; they sometimes brought her doughnuts and a newspaper. Ms. Stott and Mrs. Smith shared novels and read widely. Ms. Stott loved crossword puzzles.

Ms. Stott had two sons, Douglas Lansing and Donald Stott, from separate marriages; she kept her surname from her second marriage. Both her sons died before her, Mrs. Smith said, “so that was tough.” When her younger son died, she had a nervous breakdown, Mrs. Smith said.

For more than 35 years, Ms. Stott’s companion was Howard Collins, who worked at a cement plant in Ravena. They were frugal, preferring to eat in and watching television shows like Jeapordy, Wheel of Fortune, and airings of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. Ms. Stott lived with Mr. Collins in Richmondville until she became ill.

“When she would come here, I would have other members of my family and they all loved her because she was so friendly, and she would laugh out loud,” said Mrs. Smith.

She added later, “She was friendly and outgoing if she had a chance. Loveable. Sweet.”

****

Grace Loretta Stott is survived by her half-brother, Robert Smith and his wife, Evelyn, of Guilderland; and several grandchildren.

Her parents, James and Claire (née VanAlstyne) Pightling, and her companion, Howard Collins, died before her, as did her two sons, Douglas Lansing and Donald Stott, and her stepson, Wilbur Kenneth Stott.

The funeral service was private and interment will be in Mount Pleasant cemetery in South Bethlehem. Arrangements were by the New Comer Canon Funeral Home.

— Marcello Iaia

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