ALBANY – Julia Corinne “Judy” (Barry) Spadaro, 75, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, July 25, 2018 at St. Peter’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, in the loving hearts and hands of her family. Judy was born in Albany in 1943 to the late Edmund and Winifred Barry, and was a life-long Albany resident.
Judy’s life was dedicated to children. She was a nurturing foster mother to upwards of 25 children throughout the late 1960’s to early 1970’s, two of whom she lovingly adopted. She was also a caring nanny to many families – most notably, for nearly 30 years, to Kerry and Theresa Furlong’s (Albany) four adoring children; Jim, Erin, Stephen, and Jessie. Judy additionally touched the lives of countless children as an attentive and mindful school crossing guard for the Albany Police Department. Her post for over 30 years was at Holy Cross Elementary School on the corner of Rosemont Street and Western Avenue in Albany.
Judy was often knitting or crocheting a winter hat, mittens, scarf, blanket or Christening outfit for her family members. She was an amateur “detective” religiously solving almost all of the crimes from her favorite “stories” – “CSI” and “Law and Order,” and an avid New York sports fan of both the Yankees and Giants. Her most significant joys came from spending time with her family at the lake in Syracuse, or on the coast in Salem, MA. And, Judy’s favorite experience was returning to her roots in Ireland for a trip around the countryside.
She is survived by her sister, Kathleen (John) Fazzio; her son Michael A. (Brett Carroll) Spadaro, daughter Melissa Spadaro Kahler, three grandchildren; Ashley Marie Kahler, Rosey Marie Kahler, and Zachary Anthony Kahler, and one great grandchild Jordan Tyler Beverly. She will also be dearly missed by her many nieces and nephews and their children, by whom she was so warmly loved as “Aunt Judy”; as well as many friends.
Her life will be celebrated with a memorial mass at the Parish of Mater Christi, Hopewell St. & Hurst Ave., Albany on Saturday, August 25, 2018 at 10:30 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the church prior to the mass beginning at 10:00 a.m. In lieu of flowers, those who wish, may make memorial contributions in Judy’s honor directly to: St. Peter’s Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, 301 Hackett Blvd.
Albany, NY 12208. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
Ann Marie OBrien
My heart is sad for having lost such a cheerful loving person, my time with Aunt Judy will be a cherished memory.
May you be comforted knowing she is at peace with my mom and at last with her sister Joan. All my love Ann Marie
Tom Fazzio
Rest in peace Aunt Judy! I will miss your warm hugs and (very) late nights playing cards, dominos, rummy cube and other fun.
Madge Foro
Rest In Peace Aunt Judy. Will always remember you and your dimples when you smiled. Bingo will never be played again without thinking of you and my Mom, your Sister in law Angie
Kathy Jones
I am truely sorry Michael for your sadness as I know it well…Aunt Judy will always always be in my heart…yesterday I caught Andy saying “oh my gawd” when we were moving something…he heard that phrase enough to know it was our GodMother’s well known phrase…I just giggled.
May God give you and Melissa peace and comfort in this time of sadness ❤️