Norma Jane Riek

Norma Jane Riek, formerly of Cohoes, NY, passed away peacefully at her daughter’s home surrounded by her loving family on Sunday, October 6, 2024

Born June 11, 1931 in Buffalo, NY, she was the daughter of the late Daniel W. and Norma (Wilson) Davern.

Norma attended Holy Angels Academy and graduated 1951 from Sister’s of Charity Nursing Hospital in Buffalo, NY with her RN.

Besides Norma’s 5 children, nursing was her passion and caring for others needs was paramount to her career.

Her career spanned 4 decades with 25 years as a Nursing supervisor at Latham Medical Group where she was well known by the Colonie Police Department. During their annual physicals, Norma would gently remind them that she had the “needle”.

She retired her career after spending the last 25 years as a Director of Nursing for Living Resources, where she advocated and empowered the lives of people with disabilities.

Norma’s 5 children were the love and focus of her life and greatly enjoyed the summers vacationing in Lake George and “roughing” it in many parks throughout the northeast. Later in years, she enjoyed splashing in the surf in Gloucester, MA with her fur baby, Molly and took her dream trip to Ireland before settling into her many hobbies of sewing, gardening and watching the family of cardinals from her back porch.

Norma is survived by her daughters, Mary E. Riek of Guilderland, NY, Catherine (Robert) DiBlasi of Whitefield, NH, Jane (Steven) Kucskar of Halfmoon, NY, Susan (Michael) Gibbons of Johnsonville, NY and one son, Michael (Claudette) Riek of Altamont, NY. She was also a Gram to 9 grandchildren and GramBella to 13 Great-grandchildren, Aunt Janie to 2 nephews and a niece.

Norma was adopted at birth and 5 years ago through Ancestry.com, located her birth mother’s surviving family, reuniting with her half-sister, Judy.

The family would like to thank and recognize the amazing staff at The Memory Care Center at The Mansion at South Union, Cambridge, NY for showing their love and compassion for “Janie” for reigniting the love of paint and canvas and showcasing her art.

Visitation will be held on Friday, October 11, 2024 from 4:00 to 6:00 PM at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 181 Troy Schenectady Rd, Watervliet, NY 12189.

Family and friends are invited to attend. Service will be held immediately after at 6:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations in her name may be made to: The Community Hospice: HTTPS:/WWW.COMMUNITYHOSPICE.ORG/DONATE Make checks payable to the Community Hospice and send to: The Community Hospice Foundation, 310 Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208