GUILDERLAND — Loretta N. Cammer (née Durante) of Guilderland died peacefully at her home while in the loving arms of her family, on Nov. 19 after a lengthy, courageous battle with age-related illnesses. She was 88.

“She loved life and fought the good fight, remaining relatively active within her community until just months before her passing,” her family wrote in a tribute. “Loretta’s determination to make a positive difference in the world and her passion for life has been described as nothing short of a ‘force of nature.’ Her bright spirit and motherly love will be deeply, deeply missed.

Born on Sept. 19, 1933, in Middletown, New York, she was the daughter of Thomas and Rose Durante (née Zoffaniro) and the widow of her darling husband, Howard R. Cammer, who died on July 3, 1985.

“Loretta was the first in her family to go to college, graduating from Orange County Community College,” her family wrote. “Soon after, she married Howard and moved to the Capital District, settling into a beautiful house they built in Voorheesville.

“Their house finally became a home when they adopted their treasured children, Thomas and Patricia.  Loretta was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and friend, caring tirelessly for those she loved.

“A long-time member of the First United Methodist Church of Voorheesville, Loretta was instrumental in helping to create the Sunday School program that still thrives today, and labored to create many physical improvements to the vast building and grounds. She continually answered the call to be of service to others and was passionate about helping those in need through her countless acts of work and mercy

“Loretta enjoyed a 37-year career with the State of New York, first with the Thruway Authority, later with the Narcotic Addiction Control Commission, and finally with the Department of Taxation and Finance.  Additionally, she served as Public Employees Federation Chairperson of the Health and Safety Commission, women’s subcommittee where she fought successfully to improve health and safety conditions and improved workplace standards for hundreds of thousands of state employees.”

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Loretta N. Cammer (née Durante) is survived by her beloved children, Thomas Cammer of Guilderland and Patricia Cammer of Westmere, and by her grandson, Brandon M. Brown of Schenectady.

She is also survived by her sister, Fannie Durante Andersen, and husband, Holger, of Ellenville, New York; her sister, Tomasina Kimble and husband, David, of Franklin, Tennessee; and her sister, Rosemarie Sanderson of Strasburg, Pennsylvania, as well as many nieces and nephews and their families.

Her parents, Thomas and Rose Durante, died before her, as did her beloved sister, Josephine Sosler (Raymond Sosler Sr.) of New Hampton, New York and her brother, Pasquale Durante of Phoenix.

Her family thanks Kristen Poole, Dr. Hedy Migden, Kelly Bird, Mona Golub, Theresa Smolen, Diane Lucci, the First United Methodist Church of Voorheesville, The Eddy Alzheimer’s Services, The Alzheimer’s Association of Northeastern New York, Community Hospice of Albany, Community Caregivers, Town of Guilderland EMS, and the many others who extended her fine quality of life in the safety and serene comfort of her loving home during her final years, as was her greatest wish. “She was blessed,” her family wrote.

Her funeral service will be held at the First United Methodist Church of Voorheesville, on Friday, Nov. 26, at 11 a.m.

Memorial contributions may be made to the First United Methodist Church of Voorheesville, 68 Maple Ave, Voorheesville, NY 12186.