Catherine C. Boyagian

Catherine Cecelia (Bradley) Boyagian, 91, born in Albany on August 8, 1923 along with her late twin brother Edmund. She passed away peacefully on April 13, 2015 at the Community Hospice Inn at St. Peters, surrounded by her family.

She was known as Cassie or Red (Because of her strawberry blonde hair), but to the family she was known as Nana. She was the daughter of the late Frances (Brown) and James Bradley. She was one of nine children. Siblings also include James, Helen Prall, Frances Rubino, twins Ruth Milgo and Robert, Ann Traeger and the only surviving sibling Daniel Bradley of Troy. She was the wife of the late John Boyagian and the mother of Jack (Elena) of California, Dennis (Patricia) of Slingerlands, Suzanne Mucci of Rotterdam and Brian of Colonie. The beloved Nana of Dianne (Doug) Grant, Patsy (Kelly) Mucci, Marina (Brian) Hockenberger, Meghan (Jay) McLeod, Katie Boyagian and Christopher and Sarah Boyagian. Catherine has a large extended family from Michigan including Armen (the late Lillian) Boyagian, Rosemary (the late Francis) Willingham, Virginia (the late Jimmy) Shuman, Kay (Sharron) Boyagian and the late Annabelle and Jack Tarry. She is also survived by several great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews, a brother-in-law, Harry Rubino and a sister-in-law Katie Bradley.

She was also a surrogate Nana to others. She was known as the family historian recording and telling many stories about her experiences growing up in Albany, her adventures in the Army and her many travels during her life. She also had a great sense of humor. Those who received her famous CB signed cards, letters or stories say that they always looked forward to them and kept them forever.

She enjoyed traveling, gardening, reading and crossword puzzles. She loved animals and animals loved her. She collected memorabilia from the military events. She was the published author of many newspaper editorials.

She and her twin brother Eddie received their honorary high school diploma as they left school to enter the military during WWII. She served as a WAC stateside in Fort Hamilton at the port or embarkation and Camp Shanks adjutants division worked with Americans & Italian POWs. She was honorably discharged as a PFC. She was a charter member of WIMSA, enrolled in a computerized registry at the Gates of Arlington Cemetery.

She worked at Whitney's in downtown Albany, before and after her military service.

Catherine was a member of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception Church in Albany and loved attending Mass when possible and watching Christian programs when she became housebound.

Catherine will be missed by all who met her along this life's journey.

Memorial Contributions may be made to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception 125 Eagle St. Albany, NY 12202 in Catherine's memory.
The family would like to thank the entire staff at St. Peters Hospital and the staff at the Hospice Inn for all of their care and compassion.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, April 20, 2015 at 10:00 am at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (corner of Eagle St. and Madison Ave.)

Calling hours will be on Sunday April 19th from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm at New Comer Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie. Interment will follow the Mass in the Gerald B. H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery, Schuylerville at 12:30 pm.