ALBANY – Mary Contompasis Albertin, born in Albany September 9, 1949, died Saturday, October 27,2018. A lifelong resident of Albany, Mary (or Mariah as she preferred to a few close friends) was a woman of passion, intelligence and kindness. She was a renaissance person who cannot begin to be captured in this short piece. She never stopped learning and growing throughout her life. With her sister Margaret she built and operated a jewelry store where everything was their own creation and, at a time, when few women operated businesses. She pursued her passion for archaeology attaining a double major bachelor’s degree in the subject at 50. She worked for many years in the field at Peeble’s Island Historic Preservation and even traveled to Egypt. She also had a passion for estate and garage sales as compliments to her passion for archaeology and history.
Wherever Mary spent her time she left with lifelong friends. Her caring went well beyond the norm whether helping nurture nephews, providing support for her extended family, creating a safe home for a struggling friend with young children or providing a home and support for aunts and parents in their later years.
She always found time for all around her, giving whatever was needed, whenever, and without regard to the cost to her. Typical of her was to leave extravagant tips when it was clear a person or worker needed a little help.
She touched so many people so many times. She will be missed greatly by many, but none more than her husband who forever learned what kindness and love meant.
A special thanks to her nephew Samson, who throughout her long health ordeal, made a special effort to to be there in so many little ways but especially her difficult last two weeks.
Survivors include her devoted husband, Richard. Sisters Margaret Contompasis, Penelope Contompasis, and Joan Pomellitto (husband Frank) and brothers James, Peter and Harry. Nephews Alex, Max, Samson, Peter Crandall and Matthew Remsbecher and niece Leanne.
Calling hours will he held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Wednesday from 4-7 p.m. Relatives and friends are invited. A private graveside service will be held in the spring. To leave a message of condolence for the family, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .
Anne Boehm
A note of condolences to Turk and all of Mary’s family. Mary was such a joy to be around and her infectious smile and laughter will be missed. You all will remain in my thoughts and prayers. May memories of your time together bring you comfort.
Regards,
Anne Boehm
West Sand Lake NY
Jan
My dear dear friend Mary.. how fortunate I am that you Were.. that you ARE in my life. And you’re going to be with me forever! A day won’t go by that I won’t think of you and smile or laugh out loud!!
You’re finally at peace old friend and I hope you’ve found Eileen and Nancy and you’re dancing in the streets!!
Our time will come and we’ll find each other once again!! I love and miss you….❤️❤️
Your CFP Jannie
Frank LaPosta Visco
Even a word man is at a loss. If there’s justice and mercy, you’ll be joining the special friends who preceded you.
Love to you all.
Cheryl E Kaplan
Turk, Penny, Margaret and all of the Contompasis family members and close friends. I am so sorry for your loss. I looked forward to seeing Mary at our monthly breakfast. I am really going to miss her. She was one of the kindest people I know and it was such a pleasure to know her. She will be missed but NEVER forgotten. Cheryl Kaplan
Rocco and Maureen Sacci
Rocco and I are so sorry to have lost a very sweet friend. Mary was fun to be with sharing her many stories about growing up in Albany. We will miss our lunches together. . Rest In Peace dear friend
Jim and Jan
There aren’t any word to express how pained Jim and I are for you all.. Loosing a sister or an aunt and Turk your life partner and your best friend. You KNOW how we feel. Mary’s going to be with you forever. We guarantee that! Your guardian Angel…..
Jim and I send you all our deepest sympathy.
And Turk…we adore you. You take your time and allow yourself to heal at your pace.
We’re a phone call away..
Jim and Jan
Caitlin Cole
My heart and prayers goes out to Turk and all of Mary’s loved ones. She has left an everlasting impact on all of the life’s she touched. She was such a beautiful person inside and out and I will love and miss her very much. Rest In Peace angel, I’ll see you again one day. ❤️
Camille Gibeau
My heart so hurts for you Richard, and for the entire family. Mary was such a kind, fun and centered soul. Someone to emulate and keep her spirit alive.
Sharon Wheeler
Dear Turk
So sorry to hear of Mary’s passing- she was such a dynamic woman so full of life- so glad we got to se her two weeks ago! Showing us her hats and earring collection! Of course sending us home with parting gifts- Her mischievous verve for life was ever apparent. Easy to laugh and always a lively conversation. Mary shared amazing hugs with us and even invited us to a Halloween party! We know your heart is very heavy right now- May the beautiful memories give you comfort at this timeLove Sharon and Jenn
Terence K Bosley
Sometimes Angels walk among us. Mariah left that impression when she came to visit. Readers Digest had a section called, “The most unforgettable characters I’ve known.” Mariah is the personification of that category. Grace is beauty of form, Mariah has amazing grace! Her beauty, her kindness, her great enthusiasm, her many skills, her giggles. Mariah’s legacy is truly remarkable. Sail on Bright Spirit !
Turk, grief is not a disorder, a disease or a sign of weakness, but of power. It is an emotional, physical and spiritual necessity, the price we pay for love. There is a sacredness in tears, they speak more eloquently than a thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief…… and unspeakable love
Terence K Bosley
Sometime it feels like angels walk with us, Mariah gave that impression when he came to visit. Grace is beauty of form, Mariah has amazing grace, her beauty, her kindness, her great enthusiasm, her many skills, her giggles.
Sail on Bright Spirit!
Dennis Clancy
Our deepest sympathy for the loss of Mary,she was a great person,our prayers a nd condolences to Peter a and the family from the Clancy family
mark
My memories of Mary are of long ago…..her in her teens young beautiful and also mysterious in an nice way, coming from her home and hanging out in the school 27 park off Western Ave.
She was always uplifting your soul making you laugh and listening to all.
Peace,
Mark
Church branch
How fortunate was I to have you come into my life,the last 15 years is filled with zoo many wonderful memories, I’ll miss you very much and know wherever you are is a better place . Will think of you always
Lance Nelson
I’m stunned and so deeply saddened to learn of Mary’s passing. Prayerful thoughts for her and her loving family.
Sincerest sympathy,
Lance
Sue Mahar
I am so terribly, terribly sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. She was a very special person and will be deeply missed.
Kathie McHale Hannaford
My condolences on Mary’s passing. However, I often wondered how the earth managed to hold on to her as long as it did, a spirit so powerful. I can’t share the complete story of the first time I met her, in 1967 or so. I can say that it involved a pith helmet, a bicycle, and the loooong expanse of Madison Ave. in Albany!
We lost touch, as very old friends will do, but I have and will never forget my good friend Mary. She’s with Keith and Eddie now, so expect brighter suns ahead.
So sorry for your loss
Stephen Rudnick
I am so sad, one of my oldest and dearest friends departed. Lifting you up in light and love Mary.
Stuart Welch
May your memories of Mary be bathed in sunshine. She was a ball of fire that left a big trail in all the lives she touched.
Shelley Bond
There was a period in high school and just after that I spent much of my time hanging with Mary, the Revolutions, the Beatles and generally having fun and/or keeping our heads above water. Mary’s originality, bravery, kindness and fun were invaluable to me. My heartfelt condolences to her family and friends. I haven’t seen her in 45 years, and I’ll miss her. I can’t imagine the sadness of those who love her closely.’
All my love, Shelley Bond (Milne class 1966)
Michael Della Cioppa
Where do I start, Mary and I met
In kindergarten and became life long friends.
No matter what Mary said to me,
I know she had my best interest at heart.
Mary was a dear friend and will miss her greatly. My heart goes out to Turk and her family.
Bradford Knipes
Very sorry to learn of Mary’s passing, but wonderful to learn about her life. She fulfilled the promise she showed at Milne. My condolences to all her family.
Sincerely,
Brad
Lynne Cassimeris
What a special person, larger than life. I smile when I think of her room full of hats from so many years ago, and her way of making everything around her beautiful. Condolences to her family and friends.
Kathryn Cassimeris
So sorry to hear about Mary’s passing. I have many fond memories of the whole family. I especially treasure the earrings that Mary and Margaret made for me for my 50th birthday. I love of all you tall people and miss the family very much. Please accept my love and condolences at this time.
Kathy and Mike Murray
Turk, Our heartfelt condolence to you and family. We know how much she meant to you and appreciate your strong devotion to her struggles. We wish we could be there for you. We will be in touch when we return. God bless.
John Margolis
Mary was a Milne classmate of mine and I was so glad to see her at our reunion. She was always a fresh spark of lfe, and I am so sad to learn of her death. My sincere condolences to her entire family. John Margolis
Michael Della Cioppa
Where do i start, Mary and I met in kindergarten and became lifelong friends.
Mary was as sweet as she was honest, no matter what she said to me i new she had my best interest at heart.
Mary was a dear friend and i will miss her greatly.
My prayers are with Turk and her family.
Daniel Mackay
On behalf of the staff at the State Historic Preservation Office, our deepest condolences to Mary’s family and friends. She is fondly remembered here.
Richard herrick
Our condolences — those in our family who knew Mary knew her as a free spirit with a beautiful, kind, funny and caring soul. May God bestow all of His Blessings upon Mary and her Family.
Richard Herrick
The Herrick Clan of Terrace Ave.
Suzanne Hohenstein Charles
My sincere condolences to Turk and the Contompasis family. I am so very sorry for your loss and for this world’s loss of such a free and caring spirit. Mary was a great friend to me and to many and she will be sorely missed. I still have the note she wrote me on June 14, 1967 for graduation. She was lamenting the fact that “We only devoted four years to upset their authority.” I’ll toast her tonight with a chorus of our high school theme song “We Are the Milne Hoods” and I’ll say to her what she said to me in closing her note: Via con Dios.
Suzie Waltz
Mary, You made us laugh you made us cry but above all else you gave us love and memories that will never die. Fly with the angels my friend. Turk, Physics teaches us that energy never ceases to exist it just takes on another form. And she had so much brilliant energy. She loved you dearly and will always be with you, to help you through bad times and good.
Love you so please stay in touch and I will do the same.
Anny B Zweifel
Oh, Mary! So kind, so beautiful, so most compassionate a woman – you were a rare and precious gem -such a gift to all who knew you. You will always be in my heart……
Carl Rosenstock
Like so many others, I am heartbroken to hear about Mary’s passing. … She was truly one-of-a-kind … & she was of a kind that so rarely graces this Earth. … She will remain in my thoughts & memories, as she has since the time I first knew her. All I can offer now are my most profound condolences to her family and loved ones.
John J Lubowitz
Dear Turk:
Ron G let me know today, and I was very sad. I did not know Mary, but my thoughts are with both of you.
As a friend, Turk, you have been so generous with me. Selflessly, you always do for others with no expectations of reciprocity. You continue to be an exceptionally fine, learned, humorous, kind friend. I so much appreciate your friendship. I can imagine the same virtues in Mary. If you need help with anything, please please ask. Cut the grass. Help with something at the house. Run an errand. Please please ask. You are such a nice guy; I would do anything for you.
Most sincerely,
John Lubowitz
Carl Rosenstock
To say the least, Mary was a unique presence in my life, just as she was in so many other lives … & just as she was a rare presence on this Earth. As much as I cared about her, in the years we were close friends, I also, and always, knew how much she cared about me … just as she did about others.. … My memories of her, and (more importantly) her influence on me, are very much a part of who I’ve become. She will be profoundly missed by all whose lives she touched.. Though it seems small in light of her passing, my deepest condolences.
stephen a. brown
Dear Penne and family, Please accept my most sincere condolences on the passing of your dear sister Mary. My wife always loved you sisters jewelry. My very warm regards, Steve Brown
Bruce Korotkin
Turk, thinking of Mary and you together has and will always bring me a big smile. Although I haven’t known you as a couple, I’ve known that you’ve been a fantastic pairing.
Meanwhile, I’m forever grateful for your mentoring me as a freshman at U Buffalo. May peace be with you!
Sara Boomsliter
Mary graduated from Milne with my sister Paula, was a much loved friend of my sister Anny, and was so very kind to Anny and Paula’s little sister(me). I have always thought Mary was one of the coolest women in the world. Now I think she is the coolest, kindest, funniest, most giving person to go on to the next plane. She was always kind.I feel very fortunate to have shared (even a little)in her light.
My deepest sympathies to you Turk, Margaret, Penny and the rest of the family.
Tim Bender
Turk, I’ve been out of touch with your corner of the world lately so to hear of your loss makes me so sad. I didn’t know Mary well but from the little time I did spend I knew she was a special person. From myself and I’m sure others from DOT I offer my deepest condolences. Please take care Turk.
Tim McNally
Mary was my friend. She taught me how to question things and inspired me. Along with Paula & Suzy she showed me a lot of good music. Travel well, my friend. “It was good this time. It’ll be better next time. I’ll be seeing you.”
George,Cris,Tracey and Quentin Brown
I was very sad to hear Mary’s passing, she always had a special place with me and my children,
Jim Hall
Dear Peter and Family, I am so sorry to hear of Mary’s passing. Please accept my condolences on your loss. Sincerely, Jim hall
Mike Anton
The Anton family is extending our deepest condolences to Richard and the Contompasis family. We hope the great memories that were made will always bring a warm smile to those left behind. God rest her soul. Mike, Kerry, Evangelos, Andy and Judi Anton.
Lowe Family
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Mary’s entire family. Losing a dear one like Mary, who’s life affected so many in such a positive way, can be difficult to bear. But in this moment may you be comforted by God’s promise of a resurrection and a time when sickness and death will be no more . – Revelation 21:3,4;John 11:24
Mark Borlawsky
My sincere condolences to the Contompasis family. Mary was a classmate and a friend from our days at Milne. We reminisced and laughed at our 50th reunion just a year ago. She always made me smile. I am so sorry for your loss.
Most sincerely,
Mark Borlawsky
Bernie Branch
Turk, I know there are no words that will help right now but know that all of our best vibes are with you. I will always remember her strong spirit and will. Mary made everyone near her a better person.
Rachel Tompkins
I went to Milne School with Mary and counted her as a friend. I always loved her. She was herself, always her own style, always big hearted and true. She will be sorely missed, they broke the mold.
I loved her and just want to extend my deepest condolences. Love to Margaret and Harry and Penny.
Anne Trimble
Dear Turk and all of Mary’s beautiful family ,
Please accept my heartfelt condolences . May she rest in a pain free peace.
Sincerely ,
Anne Trimble
Annie Brickman
The Contompasis family & I have known each other and been friends since childhood. They were all always very kind and fun to spend time with at annual clambakes that included other families from the wholesale produce business. I remember when Mary and Turk met and fell in love. She truly was an amazing artist among other things and I do have a necklace from her jewelry store that I cherish. I also remember the restaurant the family owned called The Marketplace. Penny worked very hard and Mom made the best soups. We are also related through marriage! Among others her nephews Samson,Max & Alex adored her and her Angelic face. She really is an angel and always was. When Sam was doing all the sculpting up in Berne his mom Jackie and I would go up there and visit at Turk and Mary’s picnic table out of doors in a most lovely setting. I’ll never forget when a reporter came to do an article on Samson’s sculpting and after reading it Turk and I stated simultaneously “are you sleeping with her?” While the article did mention Sam’s sculpting and how he came by the beautiful stone he had to work with she titled him Rock of Ages and went on to describe each and every feature of his entire body from top to bottom! It literally could have been a letter in the Forum section of Penthouse Magazine! To all of you survivors you will always be in my prayers. Mary and cherished memories of her will never fade. Another beautiful example of Mary was when we gathered to celebrate Nancy’s 65th birthday. There was a pretty purse on the table in the restaurant filled with quarters and it didn’t take us long to figure out who put that out there without anyone else seeing Mary do so. Everyone’s smiles were extremely broad as Mary was acknowledged and just acted as if it was no big deal. It meant so much to Nancy and it also gave the rest of us a great idea to copy. XOXO Annie Brickman
Doug Mackey
I am saddened to hear of the passing of such a joyful light from our lives. I had not seen Mary in a number of years, but will always remember her smile, her passion …and her wonderful gift of silliness and joy. From the surprise of sharks swimming in flooded archaeology units to crazy hats – she was always able to lift the spirits of those around her and keep us all from getting too serious, while still focusing on things that truly mattered, I pray that she is at peace and those who call her family are comforted knowing that her spirit will now enlighten other realms. Namaste my friend.
Mabel Leon
To Turk and her large wonderful family- I am in shock. I think I am speechless- i just cannot believe that Mary so full of life in every way is not with us. i know how much you loved her and I would like to attend a service to celebrate her incredible life, to console those who loved her, and to share my grief. With love to all of you especially Turk.
Charlie Wheeler
Penny
It’s been a very long time since since Mary, you and I worked at the old Hyatt House hotel. Many fond memories of those days. I would like to send my condolences to you and your family for your loss. Please trust that the memory of Mary’s smile and how the light shined from her eyes will remain bright in your heart every time you think of her.
Charlie Wheeler
Saratoga Springs
Jim Jurista
Though the time I knew Mary was brief, and 30 years ago, I’ll never forget her. We were in the same archaeology field school during the summer of 1988. Mary’s sense of humor and big personality kept me laughing at the time and smiling every time I’ve recalled them since. My condolences to her family and all who knew her.
Mrs. CM
Dear Family, I am truly sorry and deeply saddened to hear of your devastating loss. I cannot begin to imagine what you must be going through. I know that words could never take away your sorrow. God knows your suffering. He cares about your broken hearts and he’s aware of the many tears that you cry. I pray that you will be comforted by his loving future promise of a beautiful Paradise when we will be reunited with our loved ones again. (Acts 24:15) My prayers are with your family. (Revelation 21:4,5)
Michelle Plumb Foster and Allen Foster
My sincere condolences to the Contompasis family. I only knew Mary through my Aunt Jill Smead and Uncle Jonathan, but I remember her fondly. She was such a free spirit and a nice lady. So sorry to hear of her passing. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Linda Bosley
Dear Turk,
No words can express our sadness. No words can express the joy we have experienced in loving friendship with you and Mariah. When our son Kettle passed, Mariah quoted Lao Tsu,” What a caterpillar calls the end, the rest of the world calls a butterfly.” We, too, take solace that they now soar the Elysian Fields.
Honor Each Day,
Shouting Bear
Anne E. Miller
I was a classmate at Milne with Mary. She was a special person & I will always remember her fondly.
James Littlefield
Mary’s bigheartedness is and always will be the flame I remember – many years since our lives touched, but when we were all young, Mary’s worth was always vivid and admirable, to an almost terrifying degree. Sad news.
Nathan Scott
May I offer my deepest sympathy for the loss of your dear family member and close friend. May the words at Revelation 21 verse 4 bring you great comfort. -N. Scott
Peter Levey
Hey Turk, I just heard about Mary’s passing. I’m so sorry you have to suffer such a loss. I only knew Mary from my days hanging out with The Grey things, but it was obvious, even then, she was a force of nature. If anyone got to spend their life with her, I’m glad it was you. All the best Turk