SCHUYLERVILLE – Mary Jane Tunison, age 79, passed away peacefully on Saturday, August 15, 2026, at Fort Hudson Nursing Facility in Fort Edward, New York, following a long and courageous journey with Alzheimer’s disease.

Born on May 27, 1947, in Saratoga Springs, New York, Mary Jane was the daughter of the late Avis Stewart Tyger and Harry Vernon Tyger. She spent her childhood on Catherine Street, a place she always considered home, and graduated from Saratoga Springs High School in 1965 with a concentration in business.

Following graduation, Mary Jane began her professional career with Carusone and Carusone LLP before pursuing a more adventurous path as a flight attendant for American Airlines, primarily flying out of LaGuardia Airport. During her years in the skies, she had the opportunity to meet many notable figures, including Princess Margaret of England, actor Sean Connery, and Senator Robert F. Kennedy.

After marrying, Mary Jane accompanied her husband during his military assignment in Germany. She embraced the experience wholeheartedly, enjoying the rich culture, festive traditions, beautiful countryside, and historic cities that made her time overseas especially memorable.

Upon returning to the United States, Mary Jane built a successful career as a paralegal, working with several law firms throughout Saratoga and Albany counties. She later continued her public service with the New York State Education Department, where she remained until her retirement in 2012.

Retirement provided Mary Jane the opportunity to pursue her love of travel. She visited many remarkable destinations, including Israel, France, and England, and enjoyed spending time with friends in Kentucky and Pennsylvania. Known for her vibrant personality, Mary Jane loved gathering with friends, sharing good conversation, dancing, and enjoying a cocktail. She was spirited, independent, and never hesitant to stand up for herself or those she cared about.

Above all, Mary Jane valued her family and the many friendships she cultivated throughout her life. She will be remembered for her warmth, sense of humor, adventurous spirit, and the countless memories she created with those fortunate enough to know her.

Mary Jane is survived by her beloved son, Anthony Mastroianni; her sisters, Dora Closson (James) of Greenfield Center, New York, and Katherine Totten of Florida; her nieces, Cheryl Malanoski and Amy Sheft; her nephews, James Closson, Greg Cherry, Wayne Cherry, and her significant other, Greg Schwartz of Saratoga Springs; along with many extended family members and friends who will miss her dearly.

The family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the dedicated staff of the S-Wing at Fort Hudson Nursing Facility for their compassionate and professional care, and to Community Hospice of Saratoga Springs for the comfort and support they provided during Mary Jane’s final days.

Family and friends may call from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm on Monday, August 24, 2026 at Compassionate Funeral Care, 402 Maple Avenue, Saratoga Springs, NY. 

A graveside service will be held at 12:00 pm on August 24, 2026, at Greenridge Cemetery 17 Greenridge Place, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866

Online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.

STILLWATER, NY- Gertrude (Trudy) Myrtle (Chubb) Schultz passed on August 10, 2026 at home surrounded by her loved ones. 

Trudy was born on July 1, 1936, in Fort Edward, NY to the late Clayton and Gertrude (Hall) Chubb. She attended Mildred Elley College. Trudy enjoyed reading, knitting, watching her favorite TV programs and spending time with her great-grandchildren. She retired from C.R. Bard in Queensbury.

Trudy is survived by her children Deborah Becktoft (Stillwater, NY), Sandy Schultz (Milton, NY), Robin Schultz (Milton, NY), John (Lisa) Schultz (Stillwater, NY), Lori Carman Schultz (Lakeland, FL), Christine Schultz (Milton, NY), Trudy (Gerald) Weatherwax (Mulberry, FL), and Steven (Bonnie) Schultz (Stillwater, NY); 11 Grandchildren; 8 Great-Grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Along with her parents Clayton and Gertrude (Hall) Chubb Sr., Trudy is predeceased by her loving husband John Edward Schultz, whom she married November 6, 1954; son Michael Joseph Schultz; brother Clayton (Junior) Chubb, Jr.; Grandson Patrick John Weatherwax; Great Grandson Ethan Levi John Weatherwax; nieces Amy Chubb, Beth (Chubb) Roberts; and nephew Christopher Chubb.

Graveside service took place on Wednesday, August 12, at St. Peter’s Cemetery, Clinton Ct, Stillwater, NY 12170.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in Trudy’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.

COHOES – Judith L. Walker, 87, formerly of Saratoga Springs passed away Sunday August 2, 2026, at Eddy Village Green. Born in Utica, she was the daughter of the late George and Rita Mitchell Wiley. She moved to Saratoga in 1960.

Judith was a Registered Nurse and had been employed at both Skidmore College and the Saratoga Hospital, retiring in 2004. She had volunteered at St. Peter’s Church in Saratoga Springs and at the Dominican Retreat House in Niskayuna.

She was a member of the Ballston Spa Senior Citizens. She enjoyed traveling and going to casinos and was an animal lover who rescued many animals from the shelters.

She is predeceased by her husband Leroy Walker who died in 2015. She is survived by her daughters, Rita M. McCormick (David) of Halfmoon and Karen A. Presnell (Richard Beaver) of Cohoes. She is the sister of Timothy Wiley (Joanne) of SanJose, CA, Patricia Dinardo of Newport, NY and the late Kenneth Wiley. 2 Step grandchildren, 6 great step grandchildren and several nieces and nephews also survive.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday August 22, at 1 pm at The Church at Newtown Rd., 142 Lower Newtown Rd., Halfmoon, NY. Relatives and friends may visit at the church from 12 – 1 pm prior to the service.

Those who wish may make memorial contributions to the Mohawk Hudson Humane Society, 3 Oakland Ave., Menands, NY 12204 or the Alzheimer’s Association at www.donorservices.alz.org.

Saratoga Springs – William “Bill” O’Dwyer, born December 30, 1936, in Brooklyn, New York, passed away peacefully at his home on August 9, 2026. He was surrounded by his loving wife, family, and familiar sounds of his favorite traditional Irish music.

Bill grew up in Manhattan and spent weekends at the family country home in Montgomery, where he met the love of his life, Carole Backofen.

After graduating from the High School of Music & Art, Bill completed his undergraduate degree at Pace University in 1959. That same year, he and Carole married and set sail for Ireland. Bill attended The School of Medicine University College Cork (UCC) from 1959 to 1965. During those years, they welcomed their first daughter, Kerry. Bill, along with two classmates, established the UCC Medical School Alumni Association, helping to build connections between graduates from different countries.

Upon graduating from medical school, Bill completed his residency at Albany Medical Center, specializing in pediatrics. In 1966, he and Carole welcomed their second daughter, Deirdre.

Bill entered the U.S. Navy in 1968 and was stationed in Beaufort, South Carolina, caring for the families of the Naval community.

In 1970, Bill joined the practice of Dr. William Boland and Dr. William Petersen, forming Boland, Petersen & O’Dwyer, M.D.s, later known as Shaker Pediatrics.

Bill and Carole raised their family in Loudonville, where they made many friends through the Troy Country Club. In 1976, they built a second home in Chestertown, where they enjoyed year-round Adirondack activities and countless meals, holidays, and adventures at Brant Lake.

For more than 30 years, Bill cared for children and families throughout the Capital Region. He was a founding member of the Irish and American Pediatric Society, a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics, past president of the Whitney Young Health Center, and a founding member of Capital District Physicians’ Health Plan (CDPHP).

Bill remained deeply connected to his Irish roots and was active in organizations both in New York and Ireland, including the Irish American Heritage Museum in Albany and the O’Dwyer Cheshire Home and Forestry in County Mayo.

In 2003, Bill retired from pediatrics and moved with Carole to Chestertown. He was an avid skier and a proud member of the Backwoods Ski Club at Gore Mountain. Recognizing the need for greater healthcare access in the North Country, Bill was integral to the success of the Hudson Headwaters Health Network. In later years, he and Carole spent winters on Hilton Head Island, where they looked forward to visits from their children and grandchildren.

Bill’s commitment to caring for others extended well beyond medicine. He loved connecting with people, gave generously of himself, and asked little in return beyond their companionship. 

In recent years, Bill and Carole moved closer to family in Saratoga Springs, where they enjoyed a new community and new friends.

Bill was predeceased by his parents, Paul and Kathleen (Rohan) O’Dwyer, and his sister, Eileen (Tom) Hughes. He is survived by his devoted wife of nearly 70 years, Carole; his daughters, Kerry (Chip) Marrano and Deirdre (Michael) Ladd; his brothers, Rory (Kathie) O’Dwyer and Brian (Marianna) O’Dwyer; six grandchildren, Ryan (Kelsey), Connie, and Ricky (Ali) Marrano, Jack, Patrick, and Declan Ladd; and two great-grandchildren, James and Will Marrano.

Bill’s greatest pride was the family he and Carole created. He took enormous joy in watching his family grow, learn, and give back, and was a beacon of guidance throughout their education, careers, relationships, and life choices. 

He cherished his time with loved ones, his red wine at happy hour, and political discussions. But most of all, he loved his wife.

He leaves behind a legacy of lived values – family, education, service, generosity, community, and unshakable loyalty. He will be deeply missed.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation in Bill’s memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency.

A private burial for immediate family only will be held at Saratoga National Cemetery. A celebration of life will be held at a later date. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to Compassionate Funeral Care, Inc., 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Condolences may be shared with the family by visiting www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.

SARATOGA SPRINGS, NY – Donlynn Graul, 81, passed away peacefully on July 11, 2026. Donlynn was born January 5, 1945, at Saratoga hospital, to Donald and Vivian Shepherd. After Donald’s passing in WWII, she was raised by her stepfather Charles Parish. 

Donlynn graduated Saratoga Springs High School in 1962, and proudly attended St. Rose College in Albany, earning her Master’s in Education. She taught elementary at Stillwater Central School for over 30 years, taking great joy in both her students and her close family of teachers. After retiring, she continued to give of herself, volunteering at Saratoga County Mental Health, Wesley, and Mary’s Haven. 

Doni was a communicant of St. Clement’s Church, loved her Rosary, and is prayerfully remembered by the Dominican Chapter at St. Clement’s, as she made her final vows as a Third Order Dominican many years ago. Doni lived fully, guiding others to do so as well. She and Bill traveled to Eastham, Cape Cod, yearly, often encouraging both family and friends to join. Her love of the Cape lives on through the generations who continue to enjoy the peace and beauty it has to offer. There were also adventures hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, rafting the Colorado River, and visiting the Black Hills and Mt. Rushmore with Bill, and further excursions with dear friend Marta Hitchen, including the Grand Old Opry and a National Parks tour.

Doni loved Saratoga as well, drinking joyfully from all the springs, and savoring her Tuesday afternoons downtown with Leslie. Home truly was her happy place, though, and she could often be found with a good history or mystery book, her family, and pink flamingos in her gardens. She was a talented quilt maker, leaving her family with many warm memories, literally! And her mac and cheese will forever go unrivaled.

Donlynn continues to be loved by her husband of 50 years, William L. Graul III, daughters Leslie Ives (Daniel) and Deborah Graul, dog JellyBear, cousins Susan Parish and Charlie Parish (Barb), grandchildren Katherine Ives (Chris), Joseph Ives (Brittany), and Frankie Rodriquez, beloved great-grandchildren Carter, Stella, Rylee, and Ryann (aka Pink).

She is remembered by her brother Charles Edward Parish, beloved nephews Chris, Pat, and Sean O’Leary, relatives Mike and Diana Graul, Jane and John Valetta, Anne and Jack Dejnozka, many beloved cousins, and all her chosen family, so many she chose to love. Doni is kicking back in the afterlife with those who went before—her sister Rosanne, father Donald, mother Vivian, Anne and William L. Graul Jr., dear friend Marta, chosen family Lisa and Gail, and fierce protector Zuni Bear.

Our family especially wants to thank those who have been such a great comfort over the last few years—Jane Valetta, Mary Troeger, Susie Parish, the Towne family, especially Molly and Susie, besties Jane Huffer, Sue Shaw and Donna Hartman, Dr. G, and the incredible friends and neighbors from the Eastside.

Family and friends are called to visit on August 11, from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at William J. Burke & Sons Funeral Home, 628 N Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY, 12866. To keep Doni’s memory alive, be kind to those around you—have a cup of coffee with a friend, send a handwritten letter to a loved one, cook a meal, visit the lonely, and most importantly love deeply and unconditionally.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated the following Tuesday, August 18, at St. Clements Church, 231 Lake Ave. Saratoga Springs, NY. Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM.

If you would like to honor Donlynn’s legacy of giving love, compassion, and respite to all, please consider donating to Wellspring in her name, at 2816 US 9, Malta, NY 12020.

“Come to the living waters, Sinners obey your makers call. Come ye weary wanderers home. And find his grace is free for all”

Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.

Wilton, NY – After a brief illness, Bernie Lawton, 86, passed away peacefully, surrounded by the love of his wife of 60 years and their three sons.

Bernie embraced life with boundless energy, a contagious sense of humor, and a remarkable gift for making people feel like friends. Whether you met him once or had known him for years, you walked away feeling seen, welcomed, and usually laughing. Dogs seemed to recognize that same kindness instinctively, making his connection with them the stuff of family legend.

He loved the outdoors, sports, and staying in motion. You could find him exploring new places, tending his garden, fixing whatever needed fixing, or planning the next adventure. He treasured cross-country trips to visit his children and found joy traveling through America’s national parks and across Europe. Closer to home, McGregor Golf Course became his second home, where he was known as much for his friendships as for his golf. In recent years, he brought that same competitive spirit, humor, and camaraderie to the pickleball courts at Gavin Park.

Bernie believed that a life well lived meant showing up for others. He coached youth sports, volunteered at the local food pantry, delivered Meals on Wheels, checked in on neighbors, and never missed an opportunity to lend a hand or brighten someone’s day. He did it all without seeking recognition—he simply loved people.

Above all, Bernie was devoted to his family. He was the beloved husband of Harolyn (Meyer) Lawton for 60 wonderful years, a proud father to Jeff, Mark, and Matthew, and an adoring Poppy to AJ, Joshua, Emerson, Camden, Sorelle, Katie, and Zach, who filled his later years with endless pride, laughter, and joy.

Bernie was the son of Rose and Bernard Lawton and later shared many years with his stepfather, Art Lesser. He was predeceased by his older brother, John. One of the greatest influences on his life was his grandmother, Leona Lawton, whose love and example helped shape the man he became.

A standout athlete at Johnstown High School, Bernie was a four-year starting quarterback, captain of the basketball team, and competed in baseball and track. He earned All-American recognition as a quarterback before attending St. Lawrence University. Following college, he built a successful career in finance, sales, and marketing, retiring after 35 years with Deluxe Corporation.

Bernie measured success not by accomplishments, but by the people he loved, the laughter he shared, and the lives he quietly made better. His greatest legacy is not found in trophies or résumés, but in the countless family members, friends, neighbors, teammates, and even strangers who are better because they knew him.