PATRICIA DENISE VIELKIND

Albany - Patricia Denise Vielkind, a lifelong resident of the Capital Region, died on September 10, 2018 in the waning days of the summer. She would have turned 60 this month. The daughter of Edward Anthony and Rita Bondi Vielkind, Tricia was born in Troy and raised in Wynantskill — the youngest of four children. She was a graduate of St. Jude’s grammar school and Catholic Central High School, where she enjoyed playing the piano and forged friendships that would endure throughout her life. Tricia first went to work at Pioneer Savings Bank in Watervliet, and was later employed at Troy Savings Bank and Sterling Winthrop. She spent the remainder of her career as an administrative assistant for architecture firms in Albany (Smith and Mahoney, Dembling + Dembling and John G. Waite Associates) where she managed correspondence, travel, expenses, engaged with staff and many clients in an upbeat and positive way which contributed to a positive workplace morale. She ran the Super Bowl pool and served as the American Cancer Society contact for “Daffodil Day.” While her piano playing ebbed, her love of music did not. She often took in shows at SPAC, the Palace and the Knickerbocker Arena, returning frequently to see Bonnie Raitt, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, Bruce Springsteen and many other favorites. She also enjoyed playing recreational softball and would have been quite pleased that the Boston Red Sox, who she long cheered, once again defeated the Yankees in this year’s playoffs. Tricia was a member of a longstanding dinner club of old friends and new, who were a backbone throughout her life. They enjoyed sporting events, NYC musicals and traveled annually to Cape Cod. She was “Aunt Tricia” to numerous young people, including the children of her many friends, her special godson Ian Gauthier and several members-now-mentors of FIRST Robotics teams in New York, New England and Texas. Tricia attended more school concerts, ball games, dance recitals and celebrated more graduations than we can count. She traveled cross country in her youth and was always willing to take a drive to visit someone or offer a helping hand. Tricia enjoyed scrapbooking and stamping with friends, visiting the Saratoga Race Track and casinos and she treasured the many friends she made at Crystal Lake in the Adirondacks. Tricia also grappled with depression for many years, and despite the offers of care and support by family and friends, was effectively crippled by the disease during her final earthly years. Eschewing treatment, she was unable to work or maintain her own residence and grew distant from those who loved her, embracing isolation as the darkness of depression caused her to lose all hope. We do not understand this hopelessness but believe she is now at peace. Tricia was predeceased by her brother, Donald, as well as her parents. She is survived by her brother David V. (Annemarie) Vielkind of North Greenbush and sister Paula A. ( John A. Neun) Vielkind of Clifton Park as well as two aunts (Leota Bondi and Lorraine Simmons) and several loving cousins and their families. She is also survived by one niece and four nephews: John E. Vielkind-Neun of Texas, James J. (Katherine Nadeau, great nieces Brooke and Isabel) Vielkind-Neun of Delmar, Elizabeth A. (Michael) Pasinella of Guilderland, Paul Vincent and Brandon Joseph Vielkind, both of California. Friends and family are invited to gather at the Bryce Funeral Home, Inc., 276 Pawling Avenue, Troy, for a celebration of Tricia’s life at 10:00am on Saturday, October 20, 2018 with Rev. John Tallman, officiating. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery Troy. In lieu of flowers, we ask that you honor Tricia with a donation to Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York. www.brycefuneralhome.com