Philomena Vollaro

ALBANY – Philomena Vollaro, at the age of 109, passed away on Sunday, September 19, 2010.  She was born on September 18, 1901 in New York City, and later moved to Hornell, NY, where her father opened a tailor shop.  Philomena graduated from St. Ann’s Academic School in Hornell on June 25, 1916.  She attended high school for one year and received a certificate for the Palmer method of shorthand.  She also studied the piano and was qualified to teach piano.

Soon after graduation her family moved back to Brooklyn, NY.  Philomena obtained a job as a legal secretary with the Textile Banking Company in New York City where she met Joseph Vollaro, a credit man.  They were married on December 11, 1921 in St. Finbar’s R.C. Church in Brooklyn.  She bore two children, Robert and Ronald.

In 1940, shortly after Ronald was born, the family moved from Brooklyn to Elmont, Long Island where they lived for 40 years.  Philomena was a dedicated mother and housewife.  With her husband’s help she prepared many holiday meals until her early nineties.

In 1980, Philomena and her husband moved to Westmere.  Her son Robert was already living in Voorhessville.  Her husband passed away in April of 1994 and Philomena, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, became a resident of Teresian House in November of that year.

Philomena is survived by her son Robert Vollaro of Queensbury, and Ronald Vollaro of Schenectady; and by two grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated in the Infant of Prague Chapel in the Teresian House, 200 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany on Friday, September 24^th at 10:00 a.m.  Relatives and friends are invited.  In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Teresian House Foundation, 200 Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12203; or to the Alzheimer’s Association of NENY, Pine West Plaza, Bldg 4, Suite 405, Washington Ave. Ext., Albany, NY 12205.  To leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .