Obituary of Barbara A. LaVoie

Barbara A. LaVoie, 85, of Schodack passed away on February 2, 2023 at Schuyler Ridge Residential Healthcare in Clifton Park.

Barbara was proudly raised in the south-end of Albany until the age of 12, after which her family moved to Nassau Lake, where her parents owned and operated a bar and grill. She enjoyed her time in Nassau and at Columbia High School, graduating in 1954. She remained close to several of her friends as the years passed. After high school, at the age of 17, she moved to NYC where she attended nursing school at Mount Sinai. Post graduation, her early nursing career brought her back to upstate NY to be near her family, working at Memorial and later the VA Hospital in Albany, where she met the love of her life, and husband of 59 years, Homer.  

Gracious and sweet, Barbara always carried a smile, and was happy and completely selfless in every way, raising and caring for her six children and eighteen grandchildren throughout her life. She cared for many children, working at Teddy Bear Daycare then Story Place Preschool, retiring in 2020. Barbara loved music, loved to sing, and taught her children how to dance. She was quoted as saying “No matter what, music always makes me happy.” She was a wonderful and devoted wife, mother, and friend, who loved her family dearly. She found joy in reading, playing cards, car rides in the countryside, and spending time with her family, including her cousins Kathleen and Sharon, and her dear sister, Marilyn. She was a devout Catholic and is survived by her children Yvonne Coiteux, Renee (James) Bult, Lorraine LaVoie (Michael McNamara), AnnMarie (Keith) Zimmermann, John (Janet) LaVoie, and Lynn (Christopher) Stephens, her loving grandchildren, great grandchildren, her cherished sister Marilyn (Jack) Gorman, and her nieces and nephews. Barbara was predeceased by her husband Homer P. LaVoie, her parents, John and Mary Mantica, her sister Virginia Mantica, her grandson Peter Lantz, and her son-in-law Thomas S. Rosenberger. The family would like to thank all those who cared for her including, Dr. Keith Rebehn, Dr. Ronnie Luyen, and the staff at Schuyler Ridge, especially Eddie.

Funeral service from the Thomas P. Mooney Funeral Home, 11 Elm St. Nassau on Tuesday, Feb. 7, at 10:00 a.m.  Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home on Monday evening from 4-7 p.m.  Inurnment in New Sacred Heart Cemetery, South Old Post Road, Castleton.

Donations in Barbara’s memory may be made to the American Lung Association, 418 Broadway, Albany, NY 12207, St. Mary’s Church, P.O. Box 435, Nassau, NY 12123 or to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, 1 Marcus Blvd. #104, Albany, NY 12205.