ALBANY – Mary Rita Pagano, 92, was born into Eternal Life on Saturday, August 31, 2013 in the Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital surrounded by her loving family. She was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother and friend and will be deeply missed by all who knew her. Mary Rita enjoyed listening to her music, chatting with friends, working on her garden, but her greatest enjoyment was spending time with her family.
Mrs. Pagano was born in Albany, the daughter of the late Edward H. Albert and Mary Fahy Albert. She was a lifelong resident of Albany. She was a graduate of St. Ann’s Academy in Albany, the Octavo School of Musical Art, Mildred Elley College, was awarded a scholarship to Nazareth College, and attended the College of St. Rose in Albany. Mary Rita was Acting Director of Placement at the N.Y. State College for Teachers, and taught at the Rensselaer County Council for the Arts for eight years. She was employed as a vocalist for a local radio station, and taught music at her home.
Mrs. Pagano was president of the Catholic Women’s Service League; president of the Kenwood Braille Association of the Convent of the Sacred Heart for 15 years, and past president of the Albany Evening Garden Club. Mary Rita was a board member of the Ladies of Charity, the Vanguard Albany Symphony, and the Capital Area Council of Churches; a member of the Women’s Interfaith and Uptown Churches. She has been active in the past in the Blessed Sacrament Parish in Albany as a lector, Eucharistic Minister, a member of the Renew Group, the Rosary Guild, and the Evangelization Committee.
Mrs. Pagano was predeceased by her husband Albert J. Pagano in July of 1976. She was the loving mother of Lynn M. Harrington of Albany, Albert E. (Bert) Pagano and his wife Kathleen of Albany, and Rita M. Rosencrans and her husband William of Guilderland. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren and great grandchildren: her grandsons Courtney Rosencrans and his wife Jennifer and Joshua Harrington; her granddaughters Kimberly Harrington, Kellie Harrington, Sarah Harrington, and Jessica Bruce; her great granddaughters Tarah LaFalce, Taylor Parry and Kari Ann Vincent and great grandson Aiden Moyle.
Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Wednesday morning at 9:30, and from there to Blessed Sacrament Church, 607 Central Ave., Albany at 10:30. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. Interment will be in Our Lady Help of Christians Cemetery, Glenmont. Those who wish to remember Mary Rita in a special way may make memorial contributions to Blessed Sacrament Church, 607 Central Ave., Albany, NY 12206. To leave a message of condolence for the family, send a sympathy card, or obtain directions to the funeral home, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .
The Pagano family wishes to thank the nurses, doctors and staff at St Peter’s Hospice for their outstanding compassion and care.
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May your family find strength and peace on this sad day. Love you all.
Susan (Faranda) Moseley
Dear Lynn,
I am so very sorry for your loss. Although I am not able to attend the wake and pay my respects in person, please know that my heart breaks for you and your family. I have so many fond memories of all of us growing up together and the happy times we spent in each other’s homes. Your Mom was so beautiful and elegant; I always loved going to your house. I wanted to be just like her! Her obituary was beautiful. It sounds like she had a very full and meaningful life. She must have been such a special lady. God bless you all. I hope your memories bring you peace and comfort.
Debbie Nedeau Woodford
Dearest Bert and Family,
I am very sorry to hear of your Mom’s passing.
Your Mom was a very special lady. She was such a kind and gentle woman. I loved coming to your house on Benson Street when I was a teenager. I learned about flowers from her. I remember the drying and preserving of flowers in your basement. I also remember what an amazing cook she was, the smell of shrimp bisque at your house. Your Mom always made me feel special when I was at your home. My thoughts and prayers to you all.
Love,
Debbie
Linda Smith
Dear Burt ,Kathy and family
Please accept my deepest sympathy. Your Mom was such a special lady and I know she will be missed by all of you. She had such a wonderful laugh and seemed to be happy all the time. She was truly a joy to be around. God’s blessings to you all .
Linda
Gina Bohl
Pagano Family,
I just want to express my condolences to all of you at the loss of your mom. She was one of my favorite patients who always made my day more enjoyable when Isaw that she was coming to the office. We will surely miss her at Dr. Dillon’s. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers at this time.
Sincerely,
Gina