Virginia M. Leary

COLONIE – Virginia (Virg) M. Leary, 89, passed away peacefully on Monday, March 11, 2024.

She was born in Albany on January 10, 1935, a daughter of the late Walter "Bill" Ernst and Marion Rose (Lennon) Schaller. She graduated from Vincentian Institute.

Virg and her husband Ned operated for many years, and then eventually closed, Schaller's Market in Albany. Virg continued working for herself as a Realtor throughout the Capital Region, mostly with RE/MAX. She was a Top Producer in real estate for several years, winning many awards. She was a pioneer in the soon-to-be emerging use of computer technologies in the real estate business including being one of the first to use digital photography, mass e-mails and voice mails.

She was well known for her Firewalking experience in New York City, and she was often seen driving around the Capital District with her license plate that read "Firewalk".

She enjoyed boating at their second home in Peck Lake. She read voraciously, enjoyed word games and was a skillful wordsmith.

She was predeceased by her husband Edward J. "Ned" Leary, Jr. whom she had started dating when Ned was her paperboy, and her sister Lorraine Valentino. She is also predeceased by her son William "Bill" E. Leary; a grandson, William "Billy" Leary Jr. and a granddaughter, Lindsay Leary.

Virg is survived by her children, Shows Leary (Robin Carlson), Kim (Jim) Oppelt, Maggie Leary (Jim Gallagher) and her daughter in law, Linda Leary. She is also survived by her brother Thomas (Angie) Schaller, her sister Lisa (Pat) Sunkes, seven grandchildren, ten great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews.

Virg's family wishes to extend their deepest gratitude to staff members at the Teresian House and to Community Hospice for the loving and dedicated care given to their mother.

Visitation will be held from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm with a sharing of memories to immediately follow at 6:00 pm on Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to The Community Hospice Foundation, 310 S. Manning Blvd., Albany, NY 12208. To share a memory of Virginia or leave a special message for her family, visit NewComerAlbany.com.