Zina A. Montana

ALBANY – Zina A. Bursese Montana, 88, of Albany, died Saturday, October 1, 2011 at St. Peter’s Hospital.  Mrs. Montana was born in Amsterdam, but had lived in Albany since 1942.  She was a 1941 graduate of St. Mary’s Institute in Amsterdam, and attended New York University.  She was employed as a hematology lab technician at Albany Medical Center Hospital, and served as site manager at the Townshend Park Home for Elderly for two years.  She was a communicant for many years of All Saints Catholic Church and the former St. Margaret Mary’s Church in Albany.  At the church she was the first girl scout leader, and served as secretary of the Rosary Sodality, and was past president of the Senior Citizens.  She also was a founding volunteer of the Albany Chapter of the Leukemia Society, a member and officer of the Guilderland Women’s Elks, a member of the Fort Orange AARP, and served as a Literacy Volunteer at the Albany Public Library.  She was an avid writer of poetry, and had one of her poems published.  She loved her family, and one of her greatest joys was cooking Sunday dinner for the family.

Mrs. Montana is survived by her beloved husband of 66 years Joseph E. Montana; her children Frank D. Montana (Georgene) of Litchfield, NH, and Joseph P. Montana (Patricia) of Albany; her sisters Catherine Paton of Tribes Hill, NY, and Rachel Minisci of Cobleskill, NY; her grandchildren David Sumner (Alisa), Michael Sumner and Stephen Sumner (Janet), Julie Montana-O’Donoghue (Mark), Stacey Rivera (Tito), Joseph E. Montana, and Tiffany Montana; her great grandchildren Michael, Shannon, and  Ryan Sumner, Elena and Annalise Rivera, Sean and Madison O’Donoghue, and Hannah Sumner; and by several nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her daughter Judith Montana Sumner.

The family would like to thank the staff of the Albany County Nursing Home, and especially the rehab staff for the fine care they provided to Mrs. Montana.

Funeral services will be held in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany, Wednesday morning at 8:15, and from there to All Saints Catholic Church, Homestead St., Albany at 9:00.  Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home Tuesday from 4-8 p.m.  Interment will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie.  The family suggests memorial contributions me made to the Children’s Hospital at Albany Medical Center, 43 New Scotland Ave., Albany, NY 12208.  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.