ALBANY – Mary B. Hans, 90, of Albany, passed away on Monday, October 30, 2017, at the Teresian House. Mary was born in Albany, and lived here all her life. She was a 1949 graduate Cum Laude of the College of St. Rose, and earned a Master of Social Work degree from St. Louis University, School of Social Service, in St. Louis, MO, in 1951. She was employed for a time by Catholic Charities in Albany, and was among the first lay person on staff with an M.S.W. degree. There she did individual and family counseling, including liaison services with the numerous children’s institutions then in the area. She was then employed for many years by the V.A. Medical Center in Albany, where she did individual, family, and group counselling. She was the recipient of several awards from veteran service organizations in recognition of contribution to patients and their families, and was also a supervisory social worker. She was the author and co-author of several professional publications dealing with familial disease, including Huntington’s Disease. Upon retirement from the V.A. Medical Center, she became the director of social services at the Ann Lee Home in Colonie, again working in individual and family counseling. She had been a member of the National Association of Social Workers since the 1950s, and was credentialed with a Diplomate in Clinical Social Work. She was also a New York State Certified Social Worker.
Mary was very devout in her faith, and served for many years as Sacristan, Lector, and Eucharistic Minister at The Parish of Mater Christi, and the former St. Catherine of Siena Church in Albany.
Mary was predeceased by her parents Francis A. Hans and Elizabeth R. McClune Hans. She is survived by several cousins.
Mary’s family would like to thank Kimberly, Sherri, Isabelle, Jessie, Donna, Sydney, Sonya, Brittany and Tracey and all of the Teresian House 6th floor staff for their loving care and kindness shown to Mary.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Thursday morning at 10:30 a.m. in the Parish of Mater Christi, Hopewell St. & Hurst Ave., Albany. Relatives and friends are invited. There will be no calling hours. Interment will be in Our Lady Help of Christians Cemetery, Glenmont. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.
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