Victoria C. Albano

"Victoria C. (Rozac) Albano, 98, of South Hadley passed away on Sunday, September 11, 2016. She entered this world on December 23, 1917 in Greenfield, born to the late John and Anna (Chlebiecki) Rozac as the 5th of 6 children. Vicky was raised on a large working farm in Leverett, and attended Amherst schools (class of '36). After high school, she worked at Bay State Hats, where she met the love of her life, Alfred J Albano. They were married at St. Stanislaus Church in South Deerfield in 1940. In early parenthood, Vicky channeled her boundless energy and strong work ethic into various part-time jobs, working in food services in South Hadley schools, and later in the dining halls of Mount Holyoke College. As her children grew older, she worked at a retail millinery store in Holyoke -- starting as a sales associate, but quickly becoming owner/manager. In addition to raising her 4 children, and working outside the home, Vicky gave generously to volunteer work, successfully chairing many school and church fund raisers, holding offices in various church and school associations. She served as president of the Women's Sodality at St Theresa's Church in South Hadley. She thrived in local political campaigns, helping her husband win a position in town government. In later life she became a Eucharistic Minister, and was a regular assistant in the Church rectory. In her "spare time", Vicky played an occasional round of ladies golf, was a trophy-winning bowler, a frequent winner at her beloved bingo, a crossword puzzle fanatic, and a skillful card player. Throughout her life, Vicky was a lover of music, from big band to broadway to ballet. Even in her later years, she still dazzled on the dance floor and always had beautiful music playing in her home. Through most of her 90's, she lived independently in her own home, planting flowers in the spring, raking leaves in the fall, and shoveling snow in the winter. She drove herself to Mass every morning, drove herself to bingo twice a week, went to a weekly breakfast with one group of church ladies and a weekly dinner with another. Vicky had wonderful lifelong friends and neighbors who phoned and visited often. She spent the last 18 months of her life at Linda Manor Long Term Care where she thrived, taking in every activity, and endearing herself to all. Vicky, with her zest for life, independence, strength, work ethic, wit, ageless beauty, extraordinary loving and generous heart, and deep commitment to her family and her church, is truly one of our real life icons. She lifted spirits, inspired, and deeply and wholeheartedly loved all those who were lucky enough to have filled her life. Vicky was predeceased by her loving husband of 68 years, Alfred J Albano, Sr, in 2008, She is survived by her sister-in-law Rose Albano; her four children, Patricia (Michael) Scafati of Florida, Margaret (Joseph) Wagner of North Carolina, Mary Lou (Robert) Sullivan of Florida, Alfred J Albano, Jr of Sunderland, MA; 10 grandchildren, Kelley Reynolds, Michael J (Crystal) Scafati, Jason (Wendy) Albano, Shannon (Dr. David) Sarkarati, Susan Scafati, Bradley (Laura) Sullivan, Jonathan (Jessica) Sullivan, Travis Albano, Marcus Albano, Maia Albano: 10 great-grandchildren, Rocco, Wolf, and Jameson Albano, Lucia Shahan, Grady and Garrett Sullivan, Brody and Bennett Sarkarati, Cricket Scafati, April Sullivan; and dear friends, Rick, Dani, Heidi, Barbara, Johnny. The family would like to thank the wonderful, caring staff at Linda Manor. Funeral services will be held on Thursday, September 15, 2016 starting at 9am at Beers and Story South Hadley Funeral Home followed by a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10am in St. Theresa's Church. Burial will be held on Friday, September 16th at 10am in the Massachusetts Veterans' Memorial Cemetery . Calling hours will be held on Wednesday, September 14th from 4-7pm. Donations may be made in lieu of flowers to St. Theresa's Church. Please visit beersandstory.com. "