SARATOGA SPRINGS — Margie Helm Van Meter passed away peacefully on November 13, 2024, surrounded by her family at her longtime residence in Saratoga Springs, NY.  Margie was born on September 7, 1932, the youngest of four children of John Blakey Helm and Catherine Burge Helm. Margie grew up in Louisville, Kentucky and attended the Louisville Collegiate School.  She graduated from Wellesley College in 1954.  Soon after graduation, Margie married her husband of 70 years, Robert Van Meter.  Margie and Bob were blessed with two children, Bob and Nancy.  

After her children left for college, Margie earned a master’s degree in public administration from the State University of New York at Albany and embarked on a new career.  She served for two decades as a senior staff member in the New York State Senate focused on childcare issues, including many years working for Mary Goodhue, who chaired the Senate childcare committee.  Margie took great satisfaction from her success working across the aisle to pass over a dozen bills improving child welfare and expanding childcare for New York families and children.

Upon retirement, Margie deepened her lifelong commitment to community activism.  She served on the Saratoga Springs Charter Commission and was appointed to the Zoning Board of Appeals. Concurrently, Margie was a board member for the Planned Parenthood for Saratoga, Fulton, and Montgomery counties. She was also active in the Westside neighborhood and for several years she led neighborhood tours for the Saratoga Springs Preservation Foundation.  Margie mentored young women who were first-generation college students at Empire State College.  Margie was a leader in the League of Women Voters for more than fifty years starting in 1961 in Green Bay, Wisconsin.  Margie was an active member of the Presbyterian United Church of Christ in Saratoga Springs and served as an Elder of the church. 

Margie was always interested both in her community and the larger world around her. As an adult learner, she took a variety of courses and participated in numerous book clubs. She also enjoyed traveling.  Among other places that she visited with her children and grandchildren were Beijing, China, Paris, France, Havana, Cuba, Barcelona and Madrid, Spain. 

Margie is survived by her husband, her son Bob Van Meter and his wife Pam Nourse, her daughter Nancy Van Meter and her husband Jeff Eagan, grandchildren Becky Dowgun and her husband Neil, Patrick Eagan-Van Meter and his wife Rebecca Salzman, Abby Nourse Van Meter and her husband Ian Benton, Ben Eagan-Van Meter and his wife Fabiola Gutierrez, Margie’s brother Joe Helm and his wife Sissy, and her brother-in-law Woodford Van Meter and his wife Dorothy. In addition, Margie is survived by great-grandchildren Valerie, Jesse, and Silas, as well as many cousins, nieces, and nephews. Margie is predeceased by her parents John Blakey Helm and Catherine Helm, her sister Kitty Hartnett, and brother Jack Helm.

A memorial service will be scheduled at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her memory to the League of Women Voters of Saratoga County, www.lwvsaratoga.org

Arrangements are under the direction of the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 (584-5373).

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

FONDA — Curtiss Bruno, 83, of Old Trail Road, affectionately known as Curty, died peacefully Thursday at his residence. 

He was born in Schenectady and lived most of his life in Gansevoort. He was a former resident of Clifton Park, but spent his final years in Fonda, NY. 

Curty was mentally handicapped but lived his life to the fullest. He was surrounded by a loving support group of family and friends. Curty loved spending his days outside on the porch watching the wildlife, listening to records on his Victrola and in his earlier years riding his tricycle. 

He was predeceased by his Father, Chauncey Bruno, in 1977, Mother Lauretta Bruno, in 2001, Brother Arnold Bruno, in 2013 and Stepsister Lois Bruno in 2014. 

He is survived by his Sister-in-law Cathe Bruno and his nephew, Jeff Bruno and family of Wilton, NY. Private family services will be held on November 15 at 1 p.m. The burial will be at Jonesville Cemetery, in Jonesville, NY.

For online condolences, visit www.compassionatefuneralcare.com

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Mimi Jean Ciancio, 90, passed away peacefully on November 7, 2024.

Born on April 7, 1934 in Pittsburgh PA, to Michael and Mildred Cammarata, Mimi led a wonderfully meaningful and impactful life. She served in various leadership roles for multiple organizations, including those committed to health, literacy and education and was always surrounded by a rich network of loyal friends. Most importantly, she was a much-loved and admired wife, mother and grandmother.

Mimi grew up on the grounds of Woodville Hospital, where her father was the Medical Director, and attended St. Francis Academy. While she excelled as a student, she may have been most proud of founding the “Pirate Pals,” a group of teenage girls from St. Francis who regularly travelled to Forbes Field to enthusiastically root for Ralph Kiner and the rest of the Pirates. Mimi’s entourage of baseball enthusiasts made their mark, eventually featured in SPORT Magazine.

After high school, Mimi received her BA in Journalism from Duquesne University and Master’s Degree in English from Penn State University. There, she met her husband of nearly sixty years, Ralph. They moved back to Pittsburgh, where Mimi taught English at Penn State’s McKeesport campus, and married in 1959.

In 1965 Mimi moved to Saratoga Springs when Ralph joined the faculty at Skidmore College, soon thereafter settling on Pinewood Avenue, the family home for the next 50 years.

Mimi was a woman of many interests. She loved to entertain and was an excellent, self-taught cook. A year abroad as a student inspired a passion for travel, and multiple visits to Europe throughout her lifetime. She was also an avid reader and passionate classical music and opera buff.  

In the 1970’s, once her three children were well along in school, Mimi resumed her career, first as part of Skidmore’s Admissions Office, then back in the classroom teaching writing. She capped her career as a pioneer in Skidmore’s Higher Education Opportunity Program (HEOP), serving as its academic counselor, providing invaluable guidance and support for countless grateful students. 

As Mimi pursued her professional endeavors, she simultaneously supported and eventually found herself in a variety of leadership roles for several community organizations. She was involved with Toys for Tots and the American Cancer Society, served as President of the local Chapter of Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, and Chairperson of the Friends of Library, where she was instrumental in securing the funding for the “new” Saratoga library on Henry Street. 

During their 50th wedding anniversary celebration, her husband reflected on Mimi’s extraordinary capacity to understand the feelings of others. His love for her, and her kindness and emotional intelligence needed no explanation. Her HEOP students, family and friends understood. Her infectious laugh, her uncontrollable fits of laughter, brought everyone around her in and close. She always gave you a hug, if not physically. 

Mimi was predeceased by her husband of 59 years, Ralph, with whom she shared a wonderful life and a remarkable union, and survived by her three sons, Lee, Claude (Lori) and Paul, and four grandchildren, Rachel, Michael, Ella and Anthony.  All are grateful for the love they shared and will miss the special joy she brought them all.

A celebration of Mimi’s life is scheduled for January, 25, 2025 from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. at the Surrey-Williamson Inn at Skidmore College, 950 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY. 

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Breakthrough T1D, formerly the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, at BreakthroughT1D.org or PO Box 5021, Hagerstown, MD, 21741-5021.

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

SARATOGA SPRINGS —Nicholas J. Haley, 45, gently entered into the embrace of the angels on Monday, November 4, 2024, at Saratoga Hospital, surrounded by his family. Born on October 15, 1979, in Findlay, OH, he was the cherished son of James W. Haley and Susan K. Woodward Haley.

Nicholas was a graduate of Saratoga High School, class of 2001. He found joy in simple pleasures, especially watching game shows and NASCAR with his dad. He loved attending ARC, where he formed meaningful connections and shared in laughter and friendship with those he held dear. His greatest happiness came from giving warm hugs to those he loved and cherished.

Nicholas leaves behind his devoted parents, James and Susan Haley; his beloved sister, Amy Sartin; his treasured nieces and nephew, Jeffrey Sartin and Isabel Sartin; and numerous friends who will deeply miss his presence.

A private family service will be held at the convenience of the family. 

Arrangements are under the compassionate care of Compassionate Funeral Care, Inc., 402 Maple Ave., Saratoga Springs, NY 12866.

Memories and condolences may be shared at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com.

BALLSTON SPA — It is with great sadness that the family of Donald Allen White (60) announces his peaceful passing on Sunday, November 3, 2024, at the Saratoga Hospital after battling pneumonia. Don was well known to be a devoted advocate for accessibility and a cherished member of the community, leaving behind a legacy of inclusivity and innovation.

Don is survived by his beloved sister Sandra Curry (Robert) along with many cousins and friends. Don was preceded in death by his parents, Frederick and Elizabeth White. He was born on March 21, 1964, and grew up in Guilderland, NY, graduating from Guilderland High School in 1982, then from Schenectady County Community College in 1984 with a degree in engineering. Shortly after graduating from college, Don began working at GE in Schenectady, and then at Knolls Atomic Power Lab as one of their engineers. As life is known to have many twists and turns, Don endured one of those when he was in a debilitating car accident that left him significantly paralyzed, and wheelchair bound for 32 years until his passing. Although this condition would have normally demoralized most, Don would not be hindered, but rather, he accentuated on his condition to advocate for others who were in similar situations.

Don’s most proud achievement was his instrumental role in the design of the International Paper John Dillon Park. This project, a joint venture between International Paper, Paul Smith’s College, and NYSDEC, created a 200-acre wilderness camping facility that stands as a testament to his dedication to accessibility and the outdoors. Don’s passion for the Adirondacks was evident both before and after his accident. He enjoyed going to camp, boating, and fishing. He found therapeutic solace in living, breathing, and experiencing the natural beauty of the region, always seeking out the stars as a reminder of life’s simple yet profound joys.

A dedicated educator, Don instructed BOCES students in Oneida Lewis County, focusing on building accessible trails for people with developmental disabilities. He was an integral part of the Oneida Lewis ARC, contributing significantly to the creation of the Upstate Access Guide, an internet-based resource for people with disabilities to find accessible dining, sports, trails, and other outdoor recreation venues.

Further highlighting Don’s commitment, he founded Quad Design, a consulting company that merged his engineering skills with his commitment to wheelchair access. His goals and standards with Quad Design were to ensure people with disabilities would have similar access and opportunities as everyone else.

Throughout his career, Don was also actively involved in various advisory committees in the Capital Saratoga and Glens Falls regions, including NYSDOH, NYSDEC, SAIL Saratoga, and the Capital District Center for Independence. His contributions to these organizations were invaluable, driven by his philosophy: “I’m just trying to level the playing field for PWD (People With Disabilities), especially kids. Although all PWDs have access to the same options as everyone else, they just need to know how to find them.” Don’s legacy will be remembered for his tireless efforts to make the world a more inclusive place, his kindness, and his unwavering spirit. His work and passion have left an indelible mark on the community and will continue to inspire others for generations to come.

Although Don was incredibly independent, he recognized the importance of daily support and companionship. Assisting him throughout his daily life endeavors were his loyal and compassionate Aides, Kathy Campbell, Rebecca Slade, Lisa Marshall and Becky Ruzycky.

Don realized that he was so fortunate to have such caring and dedicated friends in his life.

Funeral arrangements are in the care of Compassionate Funeral Care, Inc. Family and friends may share their condolences and memories at www.compassionatefuneralcare.com. In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be made in Don’s honor to Tunnel to Towers Foundation. Don’s brilliant life will be celebrated at a future date.