Obituary of Rosemary Amazon

Niskayuna?Rosemary C. Amazon, 50, lovingly known as "Rosy," died Tuesday evening, August 5, 2008, at the home of her sister and best friend, Jenny, in Delmar, NY. She was surrounded by her loving family. Diagnosed with ALS in April of 2008, Rosy battled the disease with courage and dignity which inspired all who knew and loved her. Rosy was born in Schenectady, NY, the daughter of the late Maurice and Elizabeth Gannon Amazon. Rosy attended The Little Red School House in Niskayuna, Maple Ridge Day Habilitation Center in Rotterdam and The Smith Center Day Habilitation Program in Guilderland. She spent many years as an active participant in community related activities including Meals on Wheels, the Humane Society and the Lion's Eye Bank. A music lover and Beatles fan, Rosy enjoyed listening endlessly to rock and roll. Her other interests included attending concerts, bowling, dining out, community outings, vacationing and spending time with the staff and housemates at her home "Union Street". Rosy especially loved weekends, holidays, parties and vacations with her family. Survivors include brothers David of Atlanta, Georgia, and Dana of Saratoga Springs, sisters, Maureen (Jim) Fraser of Ashburn, Virginia, Sheila Spraragen of Niskayuna, and Jennifer (Tom) Connors of Delmar. Rosy was aunt to Richard (Sarah) Amazon, Michelle (Matthew) Blackstone, Dana and Tara Amazon, Jaime and Jenna Fraser, Shanon (Robert) Pereira, Marc Rivers, Kelly (Andrew) Young, Chris and Brooke Spraragen, Ryan and Shane Connors and many great-nieces, nephews and cousins. Rosy was predeceased by her nephew Brett Petersen and brother-in-law Larry Spraragen. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday morning at St. Helen's Church, 1803 Union St., Niskayuna, where the Liturgy of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours at Jones Funeral Home, 1503 Union St. (at McClellan), Schenectady on Friday from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. Interment will take place at Memory's Garden Cemetery, Colonie. Rosemary's family would like to extend their heartfelt thanks and gratitude to the staff at the Smith Center and Union St. They wish to express their deep appreciation for the love and care given to their beloved sister for the past eleven years. In addition, the family and staff thank the Community Hospice of Sch'dy and Albany Counties, and the St. Peter's ALS Regional Center for both emotional and spiritual support for Rosy and for all who cared for her. Memorial contributions may be made to the Center of Disability Services Foundation, 319 So. Manning Blvd, Albany, NY 12208.