Gladys A. Zmijewski

Guilderland-Gladys A. Zmijewski, passed away peacefully at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center, on Tuesday, November 22, 2016 after a long courageous battle with Alzheimer’s Disease. Born in Albany, on May 6, 1923, Gladys was the daughter of the late John and Apolonia (Saczawa) Smolinski and the beloved wife of the late Eugene J. Zmijewski. Gladys was an obstetrical nurse and she enjoyed a long career at Brady Hospital and then at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany. Gladys was a prankster who had a wonderful sense of humor and was always the life of the party. She enjoyed gardening, crafting, quilting, reading, and doing volunteer work at various places including the VA Hospital and the Corning Senior Citizen Center. Gladys enjoyed serving as a Girl Scout leader for many years and was loved by “her girls.” She was a member of the Polish Community Center, the Polish American Club, the Garden Club, and the Zaloga Post. Gladys loved to dance the Polka and she enjoyed traveling to various Polka Festivals with her husband as well as visiting many holy shrines and visiting family and friends in Cleveland. She was a parishioner of the former St. Casimir’s Church in Albany until its closing, and then became a parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Church in Albany. She was a member of the Rosary Society and the Third Order of St. Francis. Gladys loved her family and her greatest joys in life were the fun times spent with her beloved Gene, and her many sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews. She was loved by all and will be truly missed. Survivors include her brother, Alexander (Mary) Smolinski of Albany; and her nieces and nephews: Patricia (Michael) Abel; John (Lisa) Fischer; James (Barb) Fischer; Thomas Fischer; Mary Beth (Dan) Cook; Stephanie (Ron) Stockman; Linda (Ruedi) Lienhard; John Smolinski; Michael (Pat) Zabinski; Raymond (Linda) Zabinski; and Kathy Smolinski; and many great nieces and great nephews. Gladys was also predeceased by her sisters: Suzanne Quinn, Frances Smolinski, Florence Zabinski, Veronica Fischer, and Theresa Karandy; her brother Casimir Smolinski, and her nephew Richard Zabinski. The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Our Lady of Mercy Life Center who provided outstanding and very compassionate care to Gladys for the last several years especially the staff on the Guadalupe Unit. A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 am Friday, November 25, 2016 in Blessed Sacrament Church, Albany preceeded by a visitation at the McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany 9:00 am to 10:00am. The Rite of Interment will be held immediately following the Funeral Mass at Our Lady of Angels Cemetery. Those wishing to remember Gladys in a special way may send a contribution to the Sister Maureen Joyce Center, 369 Livingston Avenue, Albany, NY 12206. To leave a message for the family, light a candle, obtain directions or view other helpful services please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com

Tributes

Gladys A. Zmijewski

May 6, 1923 - November 22, 2016