Alayne Grand

Alayne Grand passed away on January 22, 2025. She was born in Watertown, NY in 1947. After graduating from high school, she left Watertown to attend the State University of New York at Albany and completed a Bachelor’s degree in English, a Master’s in counseling and Ph.D. in Psychology. She retired from her private practice but continued consulting until 2009. 

 Alayne had a strong interest in the visual and performing arts and frequently traveled to New York City to attend shows, galleries and museums. She would frequently attend local art shows at area colleges and performances at Jacob’s Pillow as well. 

 She possessed a number of creative talents in addition to her professional accomplishments. She was a talented writer, who wrote poetry throughout her life. She had an unusual ability to stand back and look at person’s life, analyze it in context to the time and place in which that person lived and then beautifully summarize that’s person’s life in a poem just several pages in length. 

 She was a fine art photographer who had a darkroom in her basement for several years and processed and printed her own black & white photography. She focused on street photography capturing sensitive portraits of strangers on the subway or streets of New York City as well as landscape photography. She received early recognition of her work shortly after taking up photography in the 1980’s. When the first major fine art photography competition to occur in the Capital District brought famed photographer and International Center of Photography founder, Cornel Capa, up to Albany to judge the competition, Alayne’s black & white street photography won first place. 

 Alayne carried a love for antiques throughout her life and if not attending a cultural event on the weekend would most likely be found at an antique show in the area or New England. She loved calling Delmar her home, but also enjoyed spending summers in Ogunquit, Maine.

 What most people will remember about Alayne however was her biting sense of humor. She was extremely witty and to have a meal with Alayne was a memorable event whether talking politics, the latest Woody Allen movie, or what just happened at the supermarket that morning. She will be dearly missed. 

 She is survived by her husband Sheldon, his son Earl and his wife Ellen, his son Paul and his wife Sherry, Alayne’s granddaughter Fiona, Alayne’s nephew Michael and her niece Michelle.

 Private family arrangements are planned. Donations in her name can be made to the SPCA.