Josephine Ann Korona Vdoviak

July 12, 1929 - October 25, 2019

Josephine Ann Korona Vdoviak, 90, of Perth, passed away Friday October 25, 2019 at Ellis Hospital with her loving family at her side. She was born in Amsterdam on July 12, 1929 a daughter of Nicholas and Mary Guzek Korona and lived on the family farm until marriage when, compliments of the US Marine Corps, she moved with her husband to Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point, NC. The Vdoviak’s lived in Morehead City, NC until moving back to Fort Johnson following John’s discharge. Jo attended St. Stanislaus School and Amsterdam city schools. After graduation, she was employed at Mohasco Industries until a serious car accident rendered her disabled for several years. Her next “employment” was as caregiver for her first grandchild. She continued in her “favorite job” for three more grandchildren, until they were all old enough to say, “Gram, you don’t have to watch us anymore.” For the past ten years, Jo was employed at the Fulton County Board of Elections as the Town of Perth Elections Supervisor. Jo deeply loved her family and enjoyed all of life’s experiences with them. She was a huge sports fan, never missing a game while cheering for her two sons throughout their sports careers. Years later, it was her four grandchildren whom she followed from youth sports to college, and finally, through videos, watching her three great-grandchildren play soccer and hockey. She has been her family’s #1 fan. Jo loved gardening, her flowers, and sitting on her patio watching wildlife in her back yard. She grew the biggest and best blueberries in town and enjoyed picking them with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Weather permitting, you could always find her outdoors doing yardwork or home maintenance. She took great pride in her independence as a homeowner as well as her ability to change the oil in her lawn mower, clean gutters from a ladder, keep herself cozy with firewood placed into her beloved fireplace, clear snow from her walks and driveway, and wage war on her nemesis, pine needles and leaves. At times, of course, she could have had help with these tasks, but the help was never there fast enough! If all of this wasn’t enough to keep her busy, Jo was a skilled seamstress whose reputation spread until she became, as her niece described her, “the seamstress for all.” After all of this, she still found time to bake the best pies and cookies, and cook the best chili, lasagna, and Polish dishes for her family. So how did she relax? Watching her beloved New Endland Patriots, listening to polka music, talking on the phone, or working out with her girlfriends at the gym? Maybe, but more often, she would hop in the car with her sister Gen or brother Stanley and head to a local casino, where she seemed to be quite successful, proud of her winnings but never mentioning her losses. Jo was an active member of St. Joseph’s Church and enjoyed volunteering at the summer festival, helping with tablecloths and decorating at the annual Polka dances, and contributing to bake sales with her great baked goods. She was married to John Vdoviak on September 30, 1950. He died July 31, 2001. In addition to her husband and parents, she was predeceased by a brother, Edward; a sister, Sophie Kowalczyk; a nephew, Stanley Korona, Jr.; and a great-grandson, Ryan Watson. Survivors include two sons, Gary (Mary) Doviak and John (Cindy) Vdoviak; four grandchildren, Jason (Leanne) Doviak, Shannon (Karl) Watson, Karly (Dustin) Delaney, and Mitchell Vdoviak; three great-grandchildren, Jordyn and Zachary Doviak, and Hadley Josephine Watson; two brothers, Stanley Korona and Joseph (Judy) Korona; a sister, Genevieve Reuss; a sister-in-law, Eleanor (Melvin) Mathewson; and several nieces, nephews, and cousins. Calling hours will be held on Tuesday from 4 – 7 pm at the Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home, Inc. 111 County Highway 106 (Corner of Route 29 & Black Street), Johnstown. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Wednesday at 10 am at St. Joseph’s Church 7 North Street, Broadalbin. Burial will follow at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Amsterdam. Memorial contributions may be made to St. Joseph’s Church or the Melody Center at Albany Medical Center, both in care of the funeral home.