Mary P. Sitterly

Mary P. Sitterly, 76, passed away at the Schenectady County Glendale Home on Saturday, June 15, 2024, after a long illness, with loved ones in her room. Mary Teresa was born January 16, 1948, to Rudolph and Pasqualena Spagnola Piarno in Amsterdam, NY, and grew up in the East End on Main Street. She graduated from St. Mary’s Institute with its final senior class in 1966, and then from the Mildred Elley Secretarial School in Albany in 1967. Mary graduated from Schenectady County Community College in 1995 with A.A.S. Business Administration and later in 1997 with A.A.S. Paralegal. During her career, she worked first at General Electric in Schenectady as a secretary, then at Norfolk Terminal in Virginia as a bill collector, as a domestic residence manager in Broadalbin, at Nichols Department Store in Amsterdam as head cashier, again at General Electric in Schenectady in various payroll, accounting, and auditing positions, and at Boys and Girls Club in Schenectady as executive secretary. But, of all her jobs, the one she loved the most was her last, as the project clerk at Lockheed Martin on the Stratton Air National Guard base in Glenville. After finally retiring for real, Mary had an absorbing hobby with myheritage.com, that started with a small box of newspaper clippings found in her mother’s belongings, and then expanded into a base of over 38,000 names, just before becoming ill. She was a meticulous perfectionist when it came to documentation, and she learned that she is related to over half of Amsterdam in various ways. She had discerned that her family had migrated from Italy, thru Canada, and then eastward along the Erie Canal. Mary was active with the Schonowe Volunteer Fire Department Auxiliary until her health declined. Her baking skills for cookies, brownies, banana nut bread, and more, were much in demand. The Auxiliary became her close circle of friends. Mary served as a Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of the Assumption (now Queen of Peace) and Our Lady of Fatima (now St. Kateri Tekakwitha on Rosa Rd), until her health declined. In addition to her parents, Rudy and Lena, Mary was predeceased by her baby sister Michelle, two sons, James and Justin, her former husband James, her cousin “Clemmy” Spagnola, many aunts and uncles, and other cousins who were dear to her. Survivors include two sons, Jason (Samantha) Sitterly of Wingate, NC and Jarrod (Tonja) of Broadalbin; a daughter-in-law Julie Sitterly of Edinburg; and five grandchildren, Gabrielle, Jacob, James, Joshua, and Tyler. She is also survived by her significant other, Thomas Florey of Schenectady and several cousins. Calling hours will be held on Thursday from 1o am-noon at the Robert M. Halgas Funeral Home, Inc. 111 County Highway 106 (Corner of Route 29 & Black Street), Johnstown. A prayer service will follow at noon at the funeral home with Deacon Michael Ryba, officiating. Burial will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery, Amsterdam. Memorial contributions may be made to Disabled American Veterans, Schonowe VFD, or to Rotterdam EMS. Mary’s family would like to the thank the nursing staffs at Ellis Hospital, Sunnyview Hospital, and the Glendale Home for the dedication and care they provide. With the workload that you endure and don’t get thanked for enough, your dedication is very much appreciated. One other note: if you still smoke, STOP! Now!

Mary P. Sitterly

January 16, 1948 - June 15, 2024

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Mary P. Sitterly

January 16, 1948 - June 15, 2024

What We Do

Flowers & Gifts

Plan Ahead

About Us

Resources

Obituaries

Grief & Healing

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