Lillian V. Bailey

COLONIE – Lillian V. Bailey of the Shaker Run Apts., 77, born to the late Joseph E. Vayo Sr. and the late Margaret Hogan Vayo at Uxbridge, Mass. on December 12, 1927, passed into eternal life on Wednesday, May 18, 2005 at the home of her son and his family, after a long and courageous battle with several respiratory associated illnesses.
Lillian was a young child when she moved with the rest of her family to the Albany area where she resided until her death. She spent many years working as a secretary for several local companies and organizations among them, the March of Dimes and the Penn-Dixie Cement Co. As a young wife and mother she could also be found working at the family business, Bailey's Food Shop on Central Ave. in Albany, which was owned by her father-in-law, the late John J. Bailey with whom she was always very close. Lillian ended her working career as a steno clerk for the Niagara Mohawk Power Corp. retiring in 1992 after twenty years of service.
Lillian was an ardent supporter of the Albany River Rat's Professional Hockey Team. She owned a season ticket from their inception until the 2003 season when her illness made it impossible for her to attend games in person but she continued to root them on through the media. She was also a principle in Five Shares Racing, Inc. a group of friends who own and race standardbred horses at harness tracks in New York and New Jersey. Though she couldn't attend the races in person she never missed one on TV.
In addition to her parents, Lillian was predeceased by her sisters, Margaret (Dralle) and Theresa (Wicherts) and brothers, William, Joseph E. Jr., and Michael P. Vayo. She is survived by her sons, Donald F. Bailey Jr. of Colonie and Mark J. Bailey of Chesnie, SC and their wives, Dolores and Jean; grandson, Andrew and granddaughters, Brenda, Sheila and Jennifer; sister, Shirley E. Vayo of Colonie with whom Lillian shared residence and a brother, Francis E. Vayo and his wife, Dorothy of Olatke, Kansas. She is also survived by six great grandchildren, a host of nieces and nephews and her many, many close and cherished friends who all held a special place in her life and in her heart.
Funeral service will be held on Wednesday morning at 9:30 at New Comer-Cannon Family Funeral Home, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie (Rt. 155-south of Central Ave.), then to the Church of the Blessed Sacrament where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30. Interment will follow at Memory's Garden in Colonie. Calling hours will be on Tuesday from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the funeral home.
Lillian's family wishes to extend its deepest appreciation and sincere thanks to the staff's at St. Peter's Hospital and the Community Hospice of Albany for the genuine care and compassion that they showered upon Lillian and her family in their time of need. Anyone wishing to make a memorial contribution in lieu of flowers may do so to the Community Hospice of Albany, 445 New Karner Rd., Albany, NY 12205