Obituary of Mildred Selma Leo

Mildred Selma Podschelne Leo, a resident of the Willing Helpers Home for Women, passed away peacefully on December 4, 2010 at St. Mary's Hospital, Amsterdam after a brief illness. Mildred was born on April 20, 1920 in Plattsburgh, New York. She was the daughter of Siegfried and Mabel Benway Podschelne. Mildred had recently celebrated her 90th birthday with family, friends, and residents of Willing Helpers, at a party given in her honor. Mildred was one of eighteen children, was educated in the Gloversville School District, worked as a stitcher most of her adult life, and in her retirement years worked with the Green Thumb Project at the Gloversville YWCA. Mildred was the epitome of faith, hope, and charity. She was a Communicant of the former Mt. Carmel Church, always saw the glass half-full, and performed many acts of benevolence and goodwill for her community - from the Nursing Scholarship she awarded each year at Johnstown High School to the baby blanket she hand-crocheted for the 1st baby of each New Year at Nathan Littauer Hospital, to the gathering of appropriate necessities, boxed for delivery to our troops stationed overseas. She was also a devoted Yankee fan, whether it was attending a game at the former Yankee Stadium, or watching the games and World Series on TV. Mildred is survived by two daughters, Charlotte Leo of Johnstown, and Michele Leo of Havelock, North Carolina; one treasured grandson, Nicholas Giorgio of Albany, two sisters, Eleanor Van Nort of Louisiana, Edith Blowers of Gloversville, and one brother Harold "Clifford" Podschelne of Gloversville. She is also survived by caring nieces and nephews. Mildred was predeceased by three sisters: Elizabeth Buchanan, Pearl Wilcox, and Dorothy Feldman and three brothers: Eugene, Lawrence, and George Podschelne. Sincere appreciation goes to the Staff and Residents of the Willing Helpers Home for Women in Johnstown, for the tender and loving care, and a sense of Family, given to Mildred in her Golden Years. A deep expression of gratitude goes to the full staff of Doctors, Nurses and Sisters at, and affiliated with, St. Mary's Hospital, as well as to their Palliative Care Team. The family will receive relatives and friends from 9:15 - 11:15 on Saturday, December 11 at the Kobuskie-Konik Funeral Home, 51 Freemont Street, Gloversville, New York. A brief prayer service will be held at 11:15 at the Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at noon at the Church of the Holy Spirit, 151 S. Main Street, Gloversville, with the Very Reverend Donald Czelusniak as celebrant. Interment will be at Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Johnstown, with burial in the spring.