Archive » October 2015 » Obituaries

Helen M. Hempstead

WESTERLO – Helen M. Hempstead, an international representative for a local company who was active in her sons’ lives, died on Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2015, at her home. She was 72.

Beatrice Joyce Cromme Hildreth

ALTAMONT — Beatrice Joyce Cromme Hildreth — described by her family as a beloved neighborhood mom who welcomed many children into her care over the years — died peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 24, at St. Peter's Community Hospice Inn at a time of her choosing. She was 91.

Doris Louise Coburn Watson

GUILDERLAND — Doris Louise Coburn Watson was devoted to her family and her church. An early member of Lynnwood Reformed, she used her musical talents as its organist.

William F. Engel Jr.

William F. Engel Jr. of Summit, New York and Toms River, New Jersey, served in the Navy for six years and worked as an auto mechanic.

He “went to rest with the Lord” on Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2015, his family wrote in a tribute. He was 74.

Stephen Francis Harrington

ALTAMONT — Steven Francis Harrington, a United States Air Force Veteran, died unexpectedly on Sunday, Oct. 18, 2015. He was 74.

Mr. Harrington was born in Fort Edward, the son of the late Renard and Dorothy (née Cadarr) Harrington. He lived in Fort Edward until he enlisted in the Air Force.

Edwin Jan Dubisz

Edwin Jan Dubisz devoted his life to missionary work, serving in the Upper Volta for four decades. He died on Thursday, Oct. 15, 2015, in Sebring, Florida where he lived in a Sudan Interior Mission Retirement Village. He was 88.

Mr. Dubisz was a member of the Westerlo Baptist Church, which supported his work as a missionary.

Mark R. Burlingame

ALTAMONT — Mark R. Burlingame, known to those who loved him — and they were many — as “Burls,” died on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015, after an intense and courageous battle with cancer.

He was a pillar in his family’s business at Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont, where he served his church and community.

Orville E. Wood

VOORHEESVILLE — Orville E. Wood, a lifelong caregiver who loved music, died on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, at Albany Medical Center. He was 89.

“Dad took great joy when his grandchildren visited, often playing guitar or piano with them — toe-tapping music he so loved,” his family wrote in a tribute.

Kathryn G. Wagoner

Kathryn G. Wagoner, a natural caregiver, died on Monday, Oct. 12, 2015. She was 81.

Mrs. Wagoner was born on July 27, 1934 in Westerlo, to the late Raymond and Mabel Somers Gossman. She was raised in Westerlo.

She went to Berne-Knox schools and graduated from Berne-Knox-Westerlo.

Elizabeth Clarke O'Hanlon

by Anne Hayden Harwood

EAST BERNE — Elizabeth “Betty” Clarke O’Hanlon died peacefully, the same way she lived her life, on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2015, at St. Peter’s Hospital after a long illness. She was 96.

Mrs. O’Hanlon was born on Oct. 6, 1919, the oldest child of Thomas and Emma Clarke of Rensselaer.

Howard F. Jacobson

GUILDERLAND — Howard F. Jacobson, an engineer who was committed to religious service, died at his home, surrounded by his loving family, on Thursday, Sept. 24, 2015, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. He was 77.

Mr. Jacobson was a 1955 graduate of Guilderland High School and a 1962 graduate of Union College. 

Arthur N. Applebee

NEW SCOTLAND — Arthur N. Applebee, a husband, father, and grandfather, was a leading scholar of literacy and language learning and earned international renown for his seminal work on how students become literate thinkers. He died on Sunday, Sept. 20, 2015, in New York. He was 69.

Virginia A. Diederich

WESTERLO — Virginia A. Diederich, a local radio company co-owner with a strong sense of humor, died at her home on Friday, Sept. 20, 2015, after a long battle with cancer. She was 66.

Mrs. Diederich was born in Albany in March of 1949. She married Tom Diederich in 1976; they were married for 39 years.