Archive » March 2025 » Obituaries

Joan Marion VanWormer Otto

Joan Marion VanWormer Otto, a nurse with a beautiful soprano voice, died peacefully with family members by her side on Thursday, March 20, 2025. She was 91.

She was born on Jan. 27, 1934 to Norman and Eleanor VanWormer in Albany.

Caroline P. Joslyn

WESTERLO — Caroline P. Joslyn — a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother — died on Friday, March 21, 2025 at St. Peter’s Hospital. She was 88.

She was born in Schenectady on Aug. 5, 1936, a daughter of the late John and Mildred McFee Gardiner.

Loretta Whalen

Loretta Whalen

VOORHEESVILLE — Loretta Whalen, one tough lady, died suddenly on Saturday, March 8, 2025 from complications of influenza.

Born at home in Watervliet in July 1925, she was the third child of Phillip and Rose (née Dean) Beeler.

Kathleen Jayne Blakeman

Kathleen Jayne Blakeman

KNOX — Kathleen Jayne “Merricat” Blakeman died on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at Albany Medical Center Hospital after a short illness. She was 76.

Born Kathleen Doetsch on Oct. 21, 1948 in Albany, she was raised in Selkirk by her parents, William F. Doetsch and Geraldine (née Thiessen) Doetsch.

Philip H. Matthews III

by Noah Zweifel

Philip H. Matthews III, 50, who taught at Berne-Knox-Westerlo High School and had been president of the district teachers’ association for several years, died on February 27 under Hospice care. 

Joan Mary Gallagher Mastrianni

Joan Mary Gallagher Mastrianni

GUILDERLAND — Joan Mastrianni died peacefully at home on Friday, Feb. 28, 2025, surrounded by love. She was 92.

Born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, she was the eldest of four born to Mary and Joseph Gallagher.

Viola Ladock

BERNE — Viola “Vi” Ladock of Berne “gained her angel wings” the morning of Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at Schuyler Ridge Residential Healthcare, her family wrote in a tribute. She was 92.

Born on Aug. 27, 1932, at her family’s home on Bozenkill Road in Altamont, she was the daughter of the late Orville and Ada VanBuren.

Christopher T. Visker

GUILDERLAND — Christopher T. Visker, who was passionate about his family, was the visionary behind Knowledge Builders Inc.

He died on Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, after a brief illness. He was 57.

Autumn T. Tambasco

Autumn T. Tambasco, a strong and free spirited woman and a devoted mother, died peacefully on Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025, after a long illness. She was 46.

She was born Oct. 31, 1978 in Albany to Walter A. and Thomasina Tambasco.

“Autumn was an exceptional woman, strong and free-spirited,” her family wrote in a tribute.