GUILDERLAND — Mary T. Adkins, a generous woman who worked as a nurse and enjoyed painting, died on Monday, August 31, 2009, at Our Lady of Mercy Care Center. She was 85.

Mrs. Adkins was born in 1924 in Hudson, N.Y. She was a licensed practical nurse, and worked at the Veterans Affairs Hospital in Albany for many years. She also accepted local private duty assignments.

She was married to Reginald Adkins, who died in 1982.

Mrs. Adkins’ friend, Anna Wilson, described her as “very generous with her time.” She was proud of her dedication to the Retired Senior Volunteer Program, part of the Albany County Department for Aging. Mrs. Adkins made home visits and phone calls to housebound individuals, said Ms. Wilson.

Ms. Wilson also described Mrs. Adkins as a passionate artist, and said she painted with watercolor, acrylics, and oils. She painted still lifes, said Ms. Wilson, and had been working on painting everything she could see out of the dining room window at Our Lady of Mercy Care Center, where she lived for eight years.

In addition to painting, Mrs. Wilson really enjoyed Bible study and had a great memory for scripture, said Ms. Wilson.

A memorial service for will be announced. Arrangements are by the Frendendall Funeral Home in Altamont.

 Memorial contributions may be made to the Activities Department, Our Lady of Mercy Care Center, 2 Mercy Care Lane, Guilderland, NY 12084. 

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Randy T. Wood

MIDDLEBURGH — A logger all his life, Randy T. Wood loved the outdoors and shared with those in need.

“He kept a lot to himself but, when it came to his friends, he would go all out. He’d do anything for anyone who needed it,” said his daughter Jennifer Stevens. “If somebody couldn’t pay for firewood, he’d give it to them.”

Mr. Wood, of Mary Taylor Road in Middleburgh, died on Sunday, Aug. 30, 2009, at Cobleskill Regional Hospital. He was 54.

Born on June 21, 1955 in Stamford, N.Y., he was the son of Jeanne (Dedrick) and Thomas J. Wood Sr., who both survive him. He grew up in Middleburgh, where his father farmed and his mother was a homemaker, raising three sons and two daughters. Randy Wood was the oldest of the five Wood children.

He graduated from Middleburgh Central School in 1973.

“He was a hard worker,” said his daughter.

Mr. Wood worked as a trucker for a little while, said Mrs. Stevens, and then he owned and operated his logging business, Randy Wood Forest Management.

“He worked all the time,” said his daughter. “He loved the woods. He loved the outdoors. He knew something about every tree.”

Mr. Wood also liked competing in logging expos and did well, said his daughter, in events such as log rolling and wood chopping. Mr. Wood also did well in snowmobile competitions, both in the winter on snow and in the summer, competing in grass drag events and winning trophies.

“That’s racing a snowmobile custom made for grass,” said Mrs. Stevens. “He liked fast things,” she said of her father.

Mrs. Stevens went on, “He was a good dad, motivating each of us to do well. He gave us a good work ethic.”

“He was a good friend to many,” his family wrote in a tribute.

“Everybody knows him,” said Mrs. Stevens. “He had so many friends. He was kind of quiet but everyone took to him so well.”

Mrs. Stevens also praised her father’s companion, Barbara Salzer. “Barbara came into his life two years ago,” she said. “He probably already had cancer then but didn’t know it. He was sick pretty much the entire time she was with him. She took care of him. She stuck with him.”

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Randy T. Wood is survived by his children, Jennifer Stevens and her husband, Jeffrey, and their two children, Paige J. and Johnathan Stevens of Middleburgh; Nathan S. Wood and Randy T. Wood II, both of Middleburgh; his parents, Jeanne and Thomas J. Wood Sr. of Middleburgh; two sisters, Jodi Wood and Sandra J. Wood, both of Middleburgh; two brothers, Douglas Wood of Middleburgh and Thomas J. Wood Jr. of Metairie, La.; several aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, and nephews; and his companion, Barbara Salzer, and her children, Valerie and Nicholas.

A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. today, Sept. 3, at Palmer & Shaylor Funeral Home at 134 River St. in Middleburgh. John Jarvis, pastoral care manager of the Cobleskill Regional Hospital, will officiate.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Middleburgh Emergency Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Post Office Box 817, Middelburgh, NY 12122.