STILLWATER - Mary Bailey, 91, peacefully passed away at home on Wednesday April 29th after a long illness.
Born and raised in Mechanicville, she was a graduate of Mechanicville High School. Mary’s adventurous spirit led her to enlist in the Women in the Air Force (WAF) during the Korean War. She served from 1952-55 having been assigned to Colorado and St. Louis.
Mary had a keen skill for working with numbers, beginning her bookkeeping career with the former LBK Bus Line. While working for LBK, Mary met Lou Bailey on a blind date. They married and raised their three children, Paula, Karen and Ted in Stillwater. As their children grew, Mary returned to her bookkeeping career working for the Selkis family at Latham Motors.
Mary was an avid reader, puzzle solver, gardener and baker. She was well known for her delicious cookies especially during holidays. She really enjoyed her scratch offs and playing cards with family and friends.
Mary was predeceased by her husband of 54 years, Lou, her parents Josephine and John Malek, brother’s John and Frank Malek and sisters Agnes Malek and Helen Jarmann. She is survived by her son Ted Bailey, daughter Paula Bailey (Robert Hoenig), daughter Karen (Paul) Smith, grandson Ken Petronis II, granddaughter April (Grant) Teisher, great-granddaughters Stella and Grace Teisher, niece Barbara Cassier, nephews Brian (Tanya) Cassier, Mark (Margaret) Cassier, Jeff (Kelly) Cassier and many loving nieces and nephews.
The family would like to thank Mary’s wonderful caregivers Stacy, Polly, Connie and Dr. Julie Phillips and her team at Albany VA Home Based Primary Care (HBPC) and her Saratoga Community Hospice team. A service to celebrate Mary’s life will be scheduled for the summer at a time to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, gifts to help other veterans would be appreciated. Gifts can be made in Mary’s name to the VA at: Stratton VAMC HBPC, 113 Holland Avenue, Albany, New York 12208 Attention: HBPC. Please include Mary’s name on the memo line of your check. Contributions can also be made in Mary’s name to the Stillwater American Legion Post 490, 1 American Legion Road, Stillwater, New York 12170.