Rosemary Generali Risler

Colonie - Rosemary Edith Generali Risler, 80, passed away peacefully on October 31, 2013 in the comfort of her home in the Village of Colonie surrounded by her family. Rosemary was born on July 24, 1933 in Albany to the late Gene Generali, originally from Fano, Italy and the late Angeline Nardolillo Generali of Albany. She was predeceased by three brothers, Frank, Charles and John Generali. Rosemary was a proud Italian-American, loved her large, extended Nardolillo family, and enjoyed organizing the annual Nardolillo family picnics in the 1970s to 1990s. That connection continued right up to this year, as she lunched once a month with her wonderful cousins. She graduated from Albany High School in 1951, where she was a cheerleader and senior class treasurer. She was instrumental in planning the five year reunions up to the 60th reunion in 2011 and helped plan an annual class luncheon for local graduates. She retired in 2001 as Assistant Manager of the Schuyler Meadows Club, after 43 years of employment. She was a great cook, enjoyed reading, Jeopardy, the racino in Saratoga, dining out, lottery scratch offs, ice cream and chocolates, and traveling to Florida in winter, to Ocean City, MD and Misquamicut Beach, RI in summer and did a grand tour of Italy in 1998 for her 65th birthday. She is survived by her loving husband of 57 years, Walter F. Risler, whom she married in 1956 at St. Patrick's Church in Albany; sons Paul (Jeanette) of Whitesboro, NY, William (Lisa Jackson) of Albany, NY, Daniel (Patricia) of Rexford, NY and John (Susan) of Albany, NY and daughter Laurie Pelletier (Dan Romand) of Schenectady, NY. She was a caring and devoted wife, and a generous and supportive mother and mother-in-law. She also leaves behind her 13 grandchildren whom she adored - Joshua, Megan, Jenna, Hannah, Emma, Lilli, Fayth, Lance, Matthew, Patrick and Anne Risler, and Melissa and Rebecca Pelletier. She loved doting on them, cooking their favorite meals and sending them funny cards on birthdays and holidays. She is also survived by her brother-in-law Frank Risler (Mary), sister-in-law Florence Ford (Joseph), sister-in-law Tini Generali, many Generali and Risler nieces and nephews, many Nardolillo first and second cousins and scores of friends, all of whom she loved and knew loved her. Rosemary, a two-time breast cancer survivor, was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in 2011, which was in remission for close to two years before its return this past August. Immeasurable thanks go to the caring staff, nurses and doctors at New York Oncology Hematology, especially her longtime physician Dr. Stephen Hillinger. Funeral services Monday, November 4, 2013 at 9:30 am from McVeigh Funeral Home, 208 North Allen Street, Albany thence to Christ the King Church, Westmere at 10:30 am where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Relatives and friends are invited and may call Sunday, November 3, 2013 3:00 to 6:00 pm in the funeral home (please use the North Allen Street doorway to enter the funeral home). Internment at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery in Niskayuna. To leave the family a message on their guest book, obtain directions or view other helpful services, please visit www.McveighFuneralHome.com Memorial donations may be made to The Community Hospice Foundation, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY 12144.

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Rosemary Generali Risler

July 24, 1933 - October 31, 2013