Obituary of Joan H. Autilio

Joan H. Autilio, 82, of Delmar, passed away peacefully on March 11, 2016 at home. Born on March 14, 1933 in Amsterdam, she was a daughter of the late Fred and Mary Brownell Higier. She attended local school, graduating from Gloversville High School in 1950. After high school, Joan went on to study for 2 years at Vermont Jr. College and then Empire State College. Joan worked for St. Elizabeth Hospital in Utica and Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Joan retired from Nathan Littauer Hospital after working there for over 30 years; she was a medical technologist, who worked her way up to become manager of the laboratory department. From 1993 until 1998 she was with the NYS Department of Health with the Wadsworth Center in Albany. Joan was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Gloversville for many years; once she moved to Delmar, she became a member of the Delmar Presbyterian Church. She loved to knit, garden and loved her pets; especially her dogs and cats; she was known to also become a caretaker for many different birds. Most of all she loved to spend time with her grandchildren. She will be sadly missed by all who knew her. Survivors include her sons, Patrick Alan Autilio (Marsha) and John Raymond Autilio (Gloria); daughter, Melissa Louise Fleischut; grandchildren, Heidi Childers, Anna Autilio, Henry Fleishcut and Mary Fleischut; great-grandchildren, Brandon and Dakota Lamb. Joan was predeceased by her husband, John Autilio and her sister, Nancy Rose Grieve. The family will receive relatives and friends on Tuesday, March 15 from 2:00pm and 4:00pm at Walrath & Stewart Funeral Home, 51 Fremont Street, Gloversville, where a funeral service will follow at 4:00pm. A private graveside service will take place at Ferndale Cemetery, Johnstown, at the convenience of the family. Donations in Joan's name can be made to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands, NY, 12204. Online condolences can be made at www.brbsfuneral.com.