Remembering family and friends
A roundup of notices and services. Look for additional recent obituaries on this newspaper’s website.
A TRIBUTE TO LIFE Beatrice Williamson Gray WEST SAND LAKE - Beatrice Williamson Gray, 92, of Denver Drive died Sunday, March 26, 2017, at Ludder’s Country Home after a longlong illness.
Born in Watervliet, she was the daughter of the late Hugh Williamson and Laura Morris Williamson. She was raised in Watervliet and graduated from Watervliet High School. Beatrice was the wife of the late Robert E. Gray, Esq. since September 22, 1951. Before starting a family, Beatrice was employed as an executive secretary to the President of BehrManning in Watervliet. She later resided in North Greenbush for 56 years, before moving to Petersburgh 5 years ago with family.
Beatrice was a devoted wife and loving mother to her three daughters. She enjoyed entertaining, traveling, veling, and gardening gardening. Beatrice had a zest for life, loved to keep busy and was happiest when she was helping others. For many years she was a volunteer at Bell Top School in North Greenbush. Beatrice was also an active member of the First Church in Albany for 42 years where she most recently participated in Bible study and volunteered in the Food Pantry.
Survivors include three daughters, Robin (Herb) Borchers, Petersburgh, Babetta (George) Boggs, Collierville, TN and Tara (Stephen) Porcelli, Petersburgh; a sister, Ruth (Donald) Larkin, Lincolnshire, IL; 6 grandchildren; 2 great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by two sisters, Shirley Wilson and Barbara Maycock.
Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home, Inc., 276 Pawling Avenue, Troy on Friday, March 31, 2017 from 4-7 PM.
Funeral service will be held Saturday, April 1, 2017 at 10 AMat the First Church in Albany (Reformed), 110 North Pearl Street, Albany with Rev. John Paarlberg, Sr. Minister, officiating.
Interment will be at Albany Rural Cemetery, Menands.
The family wishes to extend sincere gratitude for the kindness and compassion shown by the staff of Ludder’s Country Home in West Sand Lake, Dr. Lisa Thorn and The Community Hospice of Rensselaer County.
To sign the guest book, light a candle or for service directions, visit www.brycefh.fhcom.
Jean M. Bibb
MYRTLE BEACH, SC - Mrs. Jean M. Bibb (nee VanderVoort), of Myrtle Beach, SC, passed away on Friday, March 24, 2017, surrounded by her family, at the age of 92.
Jean was the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Albert C. VanderVoort, of Troy, NY. She is predeceased by her husband, Douglas G. Bibb, a naval veteran of World War II. They were married for almost 35 years and had four loving children. Jean served in the USO during World War II. For many years, she was the office manager of Waccamaw Dermatology in Myrtle Beach, SC, and prior to that, she was the assistant human resource director for the Leonard Hospital in Troy, NY.
Jean is survived by her sister, Mrs. Muriel Fake, of Troy, NY. She is also survived by her four children: Dr. Robert Bibb (Barbara) of Myrtle Beach, Mrs. Deborah D’Alberto (Richard) of Alpharetta, GA, Mrs. Barbara Brazeau (Thomas) of Hurricane, WV, and Mr. Steven Bibb (Olivia) of Columbia, SC. She is survived by her eight grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren, who all gave her many years of joy.
She will be laid to rest in Memory Gardens in Latham, NY.
Loraine D. Fitch
TROY - Loraine D. Fitch, 95, passed away peacefully on Sunday, March 26, 2017 at Samaritan Hospital, with her grand daughter, Allison, at her side.
Loraine was born on April 2, 1921 in Winston Salem, NC and was the daughter of the late Arthur and Theola Davis. She was the beloved wife of 50 years to the late Francis S. Fitch.
Loraine was the director of Camp Hayes in Troy for many years. She also worked for the YWCA and Rensselaer County Senior Citizens Center before retiring. She was a member of Fifth Avenue AME Zion Church in Troy for over 70 years. She was a life member of the Ladies Auxiliary of Corp. Wm. A. Dickerson Post #8758 and Post #729, Watervliet. She enjoyed shopping and traveling.
Loraine is the mother of Barbara J.J Epps of Troy, William S. Fitch (Peggie) of New Brunswick, NJ and the late Charles E. Fitch and sister of the late William E. Davis. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Allison Miles, Daron Fitch (Suzanna), Ebony Kelsey ( Troy), Christina Escobar (Edgar), Courtney Fitch (MaryKay), Eric Waite, and Jonathan Fitch; 16 great grandchildren; 2 great great godchild, Betty Ann Grimes and a host of nieces and nephews.
Calling hours will be held at the Fifth Avenue AME Zion Church, 189 5th Ave., Troy on Saturday from 8:30 to 10 a.m. The funeral service will be held at 10 a.m. Interment, Elmwood Hill Cemetery in Troy.
To leave a special message for the family online, visit www.NewcomerAlbany.com
Shirley E. Hawron
OCALA, FLA. - Shirley E. Hawron died peacefully in the early morning hours of Wednesday, March 22nd, 2017.
Funeral from the Fitzgerald Funeral Home, Ltd. 105 Vliet Blvd., Cohoes, Saturday, April 1st, at 10:00 A.M.
Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in Saints Peter & Paul’s Ukrainian Catholic Church, Cohoes, Saturday morning at 10:30.
Interment will be in Sts. Peter and Paul’s Ukrainian Cemetery in Waterford. Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the funeral home, Friday from 4-7 p.m. A Panakhydayda Service will be held in the funeral home Friday afternoon at 4:00.
www. fitzgeraldfuneralhomeltd.com