Barbara G. Angelo

Voorheesville- Barbara (Ciresi) Angelo, 75 of Voorheesville, New York passed away on March 19th at her home, surrounded by her loving family. She was born in Manhattan on July 10, 1942.
Her recent battle with cancer only served to galvanize her warrior status among those who knew her best.

She is survived by her beloved husband, Peter.  The two met on a Bon Voyage cruise in 1968 and made the promise to live their lives together in August of 1973. The next 44 years of matrimony were a spectacle to behold,  with Peter and Barbara’s signature term of endearment “babe” resonating throughout every occasion, gathering, and meal. Their love was an inspiration to those who were lucky enough to be in the presence of it.

Barbara is also survived by her children, Lori & Keith Barnett, Michael & Jade Angelo, and Tara & Michael Sciortino.  Her “Grams” , her pride and joys, were her grandchildren:  John, Michael, Nicholas, Julia, Brian, Gianna, Sophia and Vincent.  She is predeceased by her grandson Joseph. Survived by her brother Joseph Ciresi.

Barbara’s grandchildren were at the center of her world.  Her grandsons’ neighborhood friends quickly learned that her door was always open and her fridge was always stocked with the goods .  Barbara was the ultimate fan at recitals, baseball, basketball and football games, bundled from head to toe like an Eskimo, thanks to the “seasonable” New York weather.  Grams was present at everything , from gymnastics competitions to Tae Kwon Do belt tests.  And Grams always had a new “little something” for the grandchildren that she had “just picked up”.

Ultimately, and most importantly, Grams was always there to give encouragement, no matter the topic, and remind her grandchildren that they were good enough and incredibly special -  no matter who they were or who they aspired to be. Barbara spent more than two decades working for New York State in the Department of Military and Naval Affairs as a procurement specialist.  In this position, Barbara was integral in supplying recovery efforts in the wake of the September 11th, 2001 terror attacks.

When Peter and Barbara were not graciously hosting their children, (and their children’s children), the two were undeniably inseparable.  Whether it was their annual summer cruise on the Minne Ha Ha, reading the Sunday paper on the back deck, or following each other around any number of stores, they were together .  Always together.

She welcomed her “in-law” children as her own, and her heartfelt messages were never fully realized by any writer at Hallmark.  In lieu of this corporate shortcoming, Barbara would simply edit existing greeting cards to convey the full scope of her all-encompassing love.

Barbara was loved by all who knew her, and no one was a stranger.  No matter if you were a fresh face or a part of the extended, extended family, there was no escaping an invitation for one of her “mish-mosh” meals. While there was often little elbow room at the table, there was always room for conversation. ​ Her children will forever be searching for the secret ingredients…. None could ever replicate her Christmas lasagna, Jeanette’s cookies, chicken cutlets, or icebox cake.  Her immaculate folding of a fitted sheet will never, ever be duplicated, no matter how often the surviving women of the family practice

Barbara’s Funeral Services will be held on Friday March 23 ^rd at 9:15am at Cannon Funeral Home, 2020 Central Avenue, Colonie .  A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at Christ The King Church, 20 Sumpter Ave., Guilderland. Interment will be at Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery.

Family and Friends, (of which there are innumerable masses), are invited to visit Barbara’s Family on Thursday March 22 ^nd from 4-8pm at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made to the Ronald McDonald House., www.rmhcofalbany.org, 139 So. Lake Ave., Albany, NY 12208 in memory of Barbara Angelo. To leave a message of condolence for the family or to order flowers, visit www.CannonFuneral.com