Archive » February 2021 » Obituaries

Roger F. Smith

CLARKSVILLE — Roger F. Smith, who owned a paint store in Delmar and who loved the Altamont Fair, died peacefully on Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, with family members around him. He was 81.

Allen F. Heath Sr.

KNOX —  Allen F. Heath Sr. — “this big guy who was also very loving,” his daughter said — put his family first and taught her to value people over material things.

Mr. Heath died at his Knox home on Friday, Feb. 19, 2021. He was 76.

EAST BERNE — Douglas E. Michaels — a union electrician who lived in East Berne his entire life — died peacefully on Saturday, Feb. 20, 2021, at Albany Medical Center Hospital of complications from multiple myeloma.

He had been fighting the cancer since 2012. He was 66.

Robert Peck

WESTERLO — Robert Peck, who loved spending time with his family, died on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021. He was 60.

He was born Sept. 24, 1960 and raised in Westerlo until he moved to Mississippi.

Douglas H. Smith

NEW SCOTLAND — Douglas H. Smith, an Army veteran and engineer who liked dancing and flowers, died Thursday, Feb. 11, 2021, at the Our Lady of Mercy Life Center in Guilderland. He was 88.

FAIRFAX, Virginia — Paul Costin moved out of the village more than 20 years ago, but “his heart stayed in Altamont,” said his daughter, Sheila Costin.

“Everyone that he would talk to in his new neighborhood could tell you more about Altamont than probably half of the people in Albany County,” Ms. Costin said.

Mary Louise West Shedd

ALTAMONT —  Mary Louise West Shedd of Altamont was a loving wife and mother who, her son said, “was always happy in her own company” — sometimes knitting; other times reading or listening to opera; or writing letters, often with newspaper clips enclosed, to people she cared about.

Matilda M. Nagengast

EAST BERNE — Matilda Mary Nicklas Nagengast “entered eternal life on Saturday, Feb, 6, 2021,” her family wrote in a tribute.  She was 95.

 “Family and faith were a constant strength in her life,” the tribute said.

Born in Albany, she was the daughter of the late George and Matilda Wilpers Nicklas.

WESTERLO — Linda K. Gardiner — a stalwart member of the First Baptist Church of Westerlo who dearly loved her grandchildren — died on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, at St. Peter’s Hospital. She was 71.

ALTAMONT — Patricia J. Tregaskis of Altamont was a “helper to all who needed a nurse’s wisdom and care,” her family wrote in a tribute. She died peacefully on Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021. She was 87.

ALTAMONT — Elizabeth J. “Betty” Ward — a devoted mother who cared for others until the very end — died on Monday, Feb. 1, 2021, at her Altamont home. She was 90.

“She was amazing — always the caregiver, always loving and helpful, the best mom you could have,” said her daughter, Judy Bailey.

WESTERLO — Lisa Loucks — described by her family as a true fighter — died on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021, at Albany Medical Center, after battling several illnesses. She was 55.

She was born on September 11, 1965.  

Janet Marie Finke

KNOX — Janet Marie Finke died peacefully at her home on Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, after a long illness. She was 62.

“Janet was known and loved for her caring heart and always seeing something good in everything and everybody,” her family wrote in a tribute.

Lana M. Padelsky

Lana M. Padelsky, who valued pieces from the past, died on Sunday, Jan. 24, 2021, after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 75.