ALBANY – Barbara Elizabeth Cheles, 72, of Albany, passed away Sunday, December 29, 2013 in the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital. Barbara earned her BA in Accounting from Le Moyne College in Syracuse and later earned her Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation. She followed in her father’s footsteps working for New York State. Barbara started her career as a Junior Insurance Examiner Trainee and retired 41 years later as the Director, Licensing Services Bureau of the State of New York Insurance Department. She was a member of the Securities & Insurance Licensing Association (SILA) since 1992, served as a Regulatory Advisor on its Board, and received the 2001 Warren E. Spruill Regulator Recognition Award for fostering cooperation between industry and regulatory agencies across the country. Barb was an active Communicant, Lector and Eucharist Minister at the former St. Teresa of Avila Church in Albany. She was a licensed private pilot and a loving, dedicated caregiver for her mother who fought a long, brave battle with breast cancer. One of Barbie’s greatest pleasures was sitting on the front porch of her family home visiting neighbors who will miss seeing her “holding court”.
Barbara was predeceased by her parents Joseph C. Cheles and Catherine A. Fitzpatrick Cheles. She is survived by her sisters Pamela Layton (Brent) of Ivins. UT, and Paula LaSalle (Art) of Baltimore, MD; her cousins Mary Ellen Cheles Sampson (Joseph) of Albany, Tom Cheles of Troy, Nancy Vachout Golly (Russell) of Gainesville, FL, and Susan Vachout Kane of Hopkinton, MA; and by three nephews.
A Celebration of Life Service will be held at a later date. There will be no calling hours. Arrangements have been entrusted to the Hans Funeral Home, Albany. To leave a message of condolence for the family or send a sympathy card, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Mary Ryan
I am so sorry to hear of Barbara’s passing. We went to high school and college together, but lost track of each other after school. My prayers are with all of you
Le Moyne College
Please accept the most heartfelt sympathies of Le Moyne College. We hope the love and memories that you will forever hold in your heart bring you peace and comfort during this difficult time.
Linda Laurange
I just checked today and found that Barbara died. She was my boss at the Insurance Department for several years and I loved that she encouraged me to present ideas. If she didn’t like my presentation she would let me forget the idea or try to organize a better presentation. She was very supportive, and she was also a friend. After she moved out of her home, I visited a few times and we went back to her home twice as she considered updates she might want to do when she considered maybe moving back. I lost contact with her after I was retired a couple of years, but I have thought of her off and on since. I am sorry for your loss, and mine.