Florence Hoagland"Hoagy" Walker

ALTAMONT - Florence Hoagland "Hoagy" Walker died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, May 14, 2012, after a long battle with congestive heart failure at the age of 79. She was born July 1, 1932 in Nyack, NY, the daughter of Harvey Henry Hoagland and Angeline Doersch Hoagland. She grew up in Rutland, VT, Oswego and Skaneateles, NY and excelled in her studies and in diving events in high school. She was also the class wit. She graduated with an RN from St. Luke's Hospital School of Nursing in NYC in 1953 and worked as the PM Supervisor of EENT Special Services at St. Luke's Hospital for over a year before becoming an ENT Nurse in the offices of Drs. Victor & Duncan McCraig on Madison Avenue in NYC. She left in 1955 to marry F. William Walker on November 5, 1955 in All Angels Episcopal Church in NYC. They then lived in Augusta, GA and she worked at University Hospital in Augusta before she selflessly supported her husband while he attended graduate school at Carnegie Institute of Technology in Pittsburgh, PA. There she worked as an office Nurse in Immunology, at heart stations at Montefiore Hospital and at Children's Hospital at the University of Pittsburgh in Post Op Care for open-heart surgery. After her husband finished his graduate studies they moved to Schenectady, NY where he joined General Electric at Knolls Atomic Power Lab as a radio chemist. She served as a Staff Medical Surgical Nurse at Ellis Hospital for four years before starting her family. She approached her family duties the same way she did her Nursing career, and devoted herself to the raising and care of her three children. After raising her children, she joined the Nutrition Program for the elderly (Catholic Family Services) as a site manager at the St. Stephen's Meal Site and also as a volunteer driver and visitor for Meals on Wheels. Her longest service was at Sunnyview Hospital as second shift team leader and Medication Relief Supervisor, then seven years as an office nurse for Dr. Chen in Scotia, NY. She was an active advocate for better working conditions for nurses at Sunnyview and volunteered for duty at local Bloodmobiles. She was active in St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Schenectady for many years and was a member of the Care Team and various committees. She was also active in local school PTA's and an advocate of better programs in the Middle Schools. She enjoyed her second home on Lieutenant Island and many friends on Cape Cod and reunions with St. Luke's classmates at various locations over the years. She was a devoted New York Times crossword addict and her wit enlivened her conversations with people. She was a wonderful Mother, wife and devoted friend to many people. She will be sorely missed and much remembered.

Hoagy is survived by her husband, F. William "Bill" Walker, her children Leslie (Walker) McAlister (Robert), Frederick Hobart "Hobey" Walker (Leanne), Guy Hoagland Walker (Susan) and grandchildren Blake McAlister, Caitlin Walker, and Sadie and Harrison Walker. Also her brother George Hoagland, nephews Michael (Lisa) and Matthew Hoagland, and niece Margaret Hoagland.

The Walker Family would like to thank Drs. David C. Armenia, Catherine Smitas and Thomas L. Goodman for their empathetic care of Hoagy. Also, the Community Hospice of Albany County team, including RN Sheila and aide Loretta over the past month.

Friends of Hoagy Walker who would like to pay their respects are welcome to visit New Comer Cannon Funeral Home at 343 New Karner Rd., Colonie, NY 12205 on Friday May 18th from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. She will be laid to rest during a private ceremony at Memory Gardens "Island of Tranquility" in Colonie.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Stephen's Church on The Plaza in Schenectady, the American Heart Association, or the Episcopal Relief and Development charity.