Mary M (Gavin) Emanuele , VRHS Class of 1946
Emanuele, 87, of Colonie, passed into eternal peace on October 17, 2014 at St. Peter's Hospital. Born in Albany to the late Joseph and Alice Mae Gavin, she later moved to Rensselaer and attended Van Rensselaer School. She is predeceased by her sister, Leona (Arthur) DeLeonardis, and brother, Charles (Carmella) Gavin. Survivors include her brother, Joseph (Phyllis) Gavin, daughter, Christine Donnini, grandchildren, Carla (William) Schlist and Paula (Thomas) Haskell, great-grandchildren, Natalie and Ryan Schlist, and several nieces and nephews. Mary was a laboratory worker at Sterling-Winthrop, Inc. and later worked as a senior audit clerk from the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance. She retired from the State and then worked as a home health aide. Mary enjoyed supporting various animal rights organizations as well as studying astrology and yoga, frequently attending retreats at the Kripalu Yoga Center. Her biggest passion was art. She was an equestrian artist, specializing in oil paintings and charcoal drawings.