Obituary of Gemma A. Vigliotti

Mrs. Gemma A. Vigliotti, 80, of Ramsey Ave, Amsterdam, passed away quietly Thursday April 1, 2010 at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam with her loving family present. Born in Schenectady, NY on January 3, 1930 a daughter of Emilio and Giustina Tonon DeGasperis. She was a graduate of Nott Terrace High School class of 1947 and then Mildred Ellie Secretarial Business School in 1948 and also attended the College of St. Rose in Albany, NY. Gemma received her certification for Professional Secretary from the National Secretaries Association. She was a communicant of St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church in Amsterdam. She began her professional career working at the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in Schenectady, NY as a Secretary. Gemma worked as a legal assistant at the law firm of Taylor, Wilkinson and Hardies in Amsterdam. She also worked at St. Mary's Hospital in Amsterdam as Assistant to the Controller until 1974. In 1975, she was the Executive Secretary to the Vice President of Corporate Planning at the former Mohasco Corporation in Amsterdam. She also worked at Universal Medical Instrument, Corp. in Ballston Spa as the Vice President of Personnel. For over 15 years she was the Vice President of Human Resources and Volunteers at Bellevue Women's Hospital in Niskayuna, NY until her retirement in 1997. This position was very special to her and she has until this day loved her Bellevue Family. She was instrumental in helping Bellevue win two Top Ten Employer Awards in 1992 and 1993. Memberships and volunteer work include and are too numerous to mention here, Member and Officer of the Northeast New York Association of Hospital Personnel Administration, Schenectady Chamber Personnel Management Council, The Soroptimist International of Schenectady. Served on the Albany Diocesan Catholic Board for 6 years and served on the St. Mary's Institute Strategic Planning Committee. She was the Past President and member of the St. Mary's Hospital Auxiliary, Inc. and was a trained Touch volunteer. Gemma also gave many presentations at conferences. Gemma was Board President for Liberty Enterprises and a Board member for almost 16 years. She immersed herself in the mission of improving the lives of those with disabilities. In 2004 was honored for her service as President and also for her contribution to the development of the New Dimensions in Living Clinic and served on that Board. In 2007, she was awarded the Director Emeritus honor by the Liberty Board. In 1996, Gemma received the Life Achievement Award for Women of Excellence from the Albany-Colonie Chamber and Women's Business Council. Gemma inspired the lives of many people and she did it with professionalism and grace but her greatest source of pride were her children and grandchildren. She married John L. Vigliotti on September 9, 1950. In addition to her husband she is survived by two daughters, Paula Reichel Norm of Fonda, NY , Lisa Liverio Mike of Amsterdam, NY. One son, Peter J. Vigliotti Brunella of Brewster, NY. Nine grandchildren, Rebecca Reichel, Christopher Reichel, Sarah Reichel, Emily Mornston, Kyle Mornston, Gemma Liverio, Lucia Liverio, Jennifer Vigliotti and Michael Vigliotti. Two brothers, Lino DeGasperis Rita of Allentown, PA and Siro DeGasperis Roberta, of West Palm Beach Gardens, Fl. One Great-Granddaughter, Antonia May. Several nieces, nephews and cousins and cherished friends also survive. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday April 6, 2010 at 8:30A.M. at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Ave, Amsterdam, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30A.M. at St. Mary's Roman Catholic Church, Main St., Amsterdam, NY with Rev. Pascal Iannotti as celebrant. Interment will be in St. Mary's Cemetery, Ft. Johnson, NY. The family will receive relatives and friends on Monday April 5, 2010 from 4:00 to 7:00P.M. at the funeral home. Donations may be made in Gemma's Honor to Liberty Foundation, Saint Mary's Institute or the Sarah Jane Sanford Home c/o the funeral home. We, Gemma's Family, would like to take this opportunity to thank the Community Health Center, St. Mary's Hospital Maria Hall, the Sarah Jane Sanford Home and the Community Hospice Staffs for their loving care of Gemma.