Hamlin, Mary Lou (Evans)
SCHODACK — Mary Lou (Evans) Hamlin passed away on June 29, 2021, at her home in Schodack Landing. She was 94.
A lifelong resident of Rensselaer County, "Moo Moo" was predeceased by her husband, Edward Hamlin, whom she cared for at home for over 10 years prior to his death; her daughter, Maureen Hamlin Palombo; her parents, Della and David Evans; her sisters, Florence Fiacco and Virginia
Leonardi; her brother Dickie Evans; and all her in-laws.
She is survived by her devoted sons, Edward
Hamlin and Louis Hamlin; special daughter-in-law, Eileen Hamlin; son-in-law, Monte Palombo; only living sister Barbara Fredette; caregiver Kathy Fiacco; and personal lifelong friend,
Dol Felts; as well as her grandchildren, Valerie (Bill) Bucci, Christian (Erin) Palombo, Stacey Palombo, Nick (Ashley) Palombo, Joe (Erin) Palombo, Lucas (Chloe) Hamlin, and Brenna (Connor) Hamlin. She was a great-grandmother of 12.
Her happy places were church; anything having to do with Rensselaer youth sports; the J.N. Ring Firehouse; Travelers Insurance Co. (Wolf Road, Albany) where she worked until
1982; Wakonda Family Campground; Kayuta Lake Campground; and respite trips with her friends, all of them full time caregivers for their husbands. She loved the New York Yankees and enjoyed watching them whenever she could.
Devoutly Catholic, Moo was a tireless champion for persons living with HIV/ AIDS. She showed up at addiction clinics, brought people home who had no families, and led by her example of kindness and acceptance toward everyone she touched. Her descendants are many, whether by blood, or by unofficial adoption.
A volunteer for the Damien Center, the National Catholic AIDS Network, the Ryan White Steering Committee, and the Capital Region Names Project, she helped present the AIDS Memorial Quilt at the Albany Empire State Plaza every December 1. Invited to lecture at high schools and colleges, she was lauded with many honors including, but not limited to, the Red Cross’
Hometown Hero, Troy Area AIDS Coalition Award, and Sage College’s Academy for Character Education Caring Community Forum Award. Post 9/11, she traveled to New York City with Catholic Charities to help those who were profoundly affected; at that time, she was 74. Her most recent donation was to Open Arms Pregnancy Center, where she crocheted over a dozen blankets for needy moms and babies. Those of us lucky enough to have been gifted a "Moo blanket" or one of her Thanksgiving pies have enjoyed the handmade creations.
Her wake will be held at New Comer Cremations &
Funerals, 343 New Karner Rd, Colonie, from 4 to 6 p.m. on July 7. A prayer service will begin at 6 p.m. Her burial will be at the convenience of the family at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, please consider donations in her name to the City of Rensselaer Volunteer Fire Department, 62 Washington Street, Rensselaer, NY, 12144, which will most certainly be put to great use. Please put Mary Lou’s name on your donation, thank you.