Jeanne Wilkinson

After 93 years of enjoying a wonderful life on this beautiful planet, our mom, Jeanne Wilkinson, had an appointment she was excited to make and did not want to be late for. If you knew her, you knew she hated being late and was ready for this next important visit because she was going to see our father and her husband of 30 years, Attorney Joseph T. Wilkinson, who had the same appointment 33 years ago. Our mom would want us to say how grateful she was to have lived a long life filled with family, friends and faith. She was able to travel extensively and remained curious about everything and everyone. Always ready for a good chat, she rarely met a stranger. We remember Mom with her giant smile and signature pixie cut in the stands literally and metaphorically watching us throughout our lives as we performed and participated in many things. Although we did not always excel in everything we did, she just wanted us to give whatever we attempted a good try. Jeanne “Babe”, as our father called her, loved teaching. She taught second grade, gym and special education for thirty years. Her memory remained excellent until her last appointment so she could still remember the names of most of her students and often shared stories about them. She spent a few years as a full-time military wife; raising three kids, all under the age of five, while our dad was stationed overseas. She remembered every jet he flew and when, every place he was stationed, and the missions he flew. He named the first jet he piloted “Jeanne” after her. Mom served on the Nathan Littauer Hospital Auxiliary and Board, and the hospital foundation, Community Health Center, Broadalbin Youth Commission, Fulton County Retired Teachers Organization, and the Wilkinson Memorial Book Station, named in honor of her husband Joe. Our mom loved history, especially family and local history. She was born in Schoharie, NY on November 7, 1931, a daughter of Harold and Elizabeth Becker Warner. Schoharie was known as the “breadbasket” of the American Revolution. Her family lived in the area for several generations and she joined the Daughters of the American Revolution when she was 18. She received an award from the Masonic Temple in Broadalbin recognizing her years of community service. Our mom actively volunteered for all the organizations she cared about into her early 90’s. She had endless energy. She bicycled, cross-country skied, shoveled snow, and traveled well into her eighties. Our mom was a Boilermaker graduating from Purdue University with a BA. She received a Masters from the State College at Oneonta and in 1973 took us to Spain where she worked on her Doctorate at the University of Madrid in Spain. We knew Jeanne as our mom, but she was so many things to other people. She and her husband Joe founded and for several years were co-owners of the Olde Bryan Inn in Saratoga and the Olde Homestead in Burnt Hills. A friend of hers who had been her friend for fifty years said, “Those who know Jeanne best describe her as a loving wife, with a heart of gold, as someone said: “A more pleasant and caring person you will not find. She genuinely cares about people….. “We are blessed to have Jeanne living among us and serving our community as a dedicated and devoted volunteer. Jeanne is the conscience of our community. She knows the pulse of our community and is well-versed in the needs of our residents. Jeanne is not afraid to speak her mind. One never has to wonder where you stand with Jeanne. She will tell you! Jeanne is a true humanitarian who is concerned with the interests and welfare of all and understands the importance of philanthropy.” When asked about some of her primary interests, she would say the family. watching her grandchildren play sports, traveling, conferences on disability, volunteering for church projects and raising money. Jeanne is survived by her three daughters and sons-in-law Debra and Tim Light of Broadalbin, NY, Sharon and Todd Griffith and Wendy Wilkinson Saez and Carlos Saez of Houston, Texas; eight grandchildren and twelve great-grandchildren; Timothy Light and his wife Cate and their children Weston, Natalie and Tyler of Waddell Arizona, Hillary Strubel, her husband Heath and their children Kira and Haven of Houston, Texas; Avery Castleberry and her husband Nelson of Spanish Fork, Utah, Tara Boyd, her husband Marshall and their children Gavin, Gabriella, Grady and Gwen, Todd Griffith and his daughter Charlotte, Joseph Griffith, and his wife Daniella and their daughter Kai, and Hannah Griffith, all from Houston, and Kristin Fredericks, and her husband Gregory and their daughter Claire of Naperville, Ill. Her faith was strong, she supported all the churches in Broadalbin and one in Summit Lake, NY, a special place for her. Mom always lived by a rule that was handed down to her by her beloved mother Elizabeth and this rule has always been an influence in her life… “Do all the good you can By all the means you can In all the ways you can In all the places you can At all the times you can To all the people you can As long as ever you can” (It is John Wesley’s rule: John Wesley was an Anglican minister and theologian born in the 1700’s.) Mom started her day with his Morning Prayer—“Lord open my eyes to my opportunity to bless someone unexpectedly today.” Mom, it’s impossible to capture in words everything you were to your family, friends and the world. We will love you forever and will always carry you in our hearts and see you in our dreams. Mom said, “To love what you do and feel that it matters in helping someone is a great feeling!” Cremation was performed at Park View Crematorium, Schenectady. Calling hours will be held on Saturday, December 7, 2024, from 1 – 3 pm at the Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home, Inc. 111 County Highway 106 (corner of Route 29 & Black Street), Johnstown. A memorial service will follow at 3pm at the funeral home with Rev. Dr. R.W. Williams officiating. Final burial will be in the spring at the Broadalbin-Mayfield Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mountain Valley Hospice, in care of the funeral home. We would like to especially thank Mountain Valley Hospice nurses, Suzie, Robin, and Megan and friends Carol Sleezer, Debbie Dake and Lydia Reed for their continuous comfort and support for our mom and family. SERVICE INFORMATION UPDATE: Final burial will take place 10 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2025 at Broadalbin-Mayfield Rural Cemetery, North Main St. Broadalbin.

Jeanne Wilkinson

November 7, 1931 - December 2, 2024

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Jeanne Wilkinson

November 7, 1931 - December 2, 2024

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

Contact Information

365 Days of Grief Support