Barbara Persico, 83, passed away peacefully at the Wilkinson Residential Healthcare Facility on January 28, 2017.
Born in New York City on May 30, 1933, Barbara was the beloved only child of the late John and Sophie Rzepcznska Kalbermatten.
Upon graduation from Cairo Central High School in 1951, she came to Amsterdam to attend St. Mary’s School of Nursing and fulfill her dream of becoming a nurse. After a year, however, that dream was interrupted by another: to marry the love of her life and have a houseful of children. Barbara married Francis G. (Frank) Persico on January 1, 1953; after 56 years of marriage, Mr. Persico passed away on March 9, 2009.
Their seven children survive: Barbara, of Fort Johnson; Frank, Christine, Ann, Margaret and John, of Amsterdam; and Daniel, of San Diego, CA.
Throughout her life, Barbara took an active interest in her community and in the lives of her children, and later her grandchildren, helping to found both Cinderella Softball and the Amsterdam Center for Teens, serving on assorted PTAs, as coach, den mother, spectator and cheerleader at countless recitals and sporting events. Her heart and home were open to all and she cherished being “mom” to many of her children’s friends. She also had a life-long love of animals, caring for an endless stream of pets.
Along the way, Barbara never lost sight of her nursing vocation, and in 1970, with her youngest child enrolled in Kindergarten, she returned to school, graduated from Fulton-Montgomery Community College with honors in 1972, and began a long and fulfilling career as an Emergency Room RN at St. Mary’s Hospital, Amsterdam, NY. She was later immensely proud to see a son and then two grandchildren follow in her chosen profession.
Barbara enjoyed nature, camping and travel in her motor home. In retirement, she and her husband were able to see much of the United States and loved to bring along one or more assorted grandchildren on their shorter excursions.
Besides her seven children, Barbara is survived by nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren, sister-in-law, Ann Signoracci of Cohoes, NY; and several nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be held Tuesday morning from 11:00 to 12:15 at the Riley Mortuary, Inc. 110 Division Street, Amsterdam, NY; followed at 1:00 by a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church, 39 St. John Street, Amsterdam NY, with Fr. Pascal Iannotti officiating.
Interment will be at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Cemetery, Amsterdam, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Mrs. Persico’s memory may be made to the Montgomery County SPCA, PO Box 484, Amsterdam, NY 12010 to a charity of one’s choice.
The family would like to thank the dedicated and caring staffs of Wilkinson RCHF who have provided such excellent care over the past two years and to Dr. Emily Etzkorn, who exemplifies, at the very highest standard, what is means to care for the person, not just the patient.
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