Josephine P. Slater

Niskayuna, NY

Josephine P. Slater, 98, passed away at home on August 8, 2026 with her loving family by her side. Born in Schenectady to Josephine and Palmer Welch, she graduated from Mont Pleasant High School.

She raised her family of 5 children in Niskayuna as a stay at home mom. She was a member of Calvary Methodist Church and Faith United Methodist Church and was involved with many community and school activities. She was a member of the Schenectady-Nijkerk Council, traveling several times to The Netherlands and hosting Dutch citizens when they visited Schenectady. She worked at Walkers Pharmacy in Niskayuna and afterwards ran her own business “Forever Rainbows” from 1984-97, selling Austrian Leaded Crystals at area craft fairs and from a kiosk in the Latham Circle Mall. After retirement, she volunteered for many years for the Wildwood Foundation. Josephine loved spending summers at Brant Lake NY. She was one of the founding owners in the NiskaBeach Association at Brant Lake where she built a family summer home that has brought happiness to 5 generations over 63 years and will continue to be a gathering location for generations of family and friends to come. She loved flowers and gardening. Her favorite color was purple. And she baked the best desserts.

Josephine is survived by her children, Pam (Jeff) Houston of Westerly RI, Margie (Bill) Steffes of Bluffton, SC, Cindy (Mike) Riggi of Clifton Park, NY and Jeff Slater of Scotia, NY. She is also survived by grandchildren Jana Houston, Gavin (Olivia) Houston, Mike Riggi Jr, Tony (Heather) Riggi, Jason Slater, Andrew Slater, and Nick Slater and great grandchildren Taylor Smaldone, Blake Smaldone, Luke (Katherine) Houston, and Brendan Riggi. She is also survived by her brother Calvin Welch and several nieces and nephews.

Josephine was predeceased by her parents, her son Russell Slater, her granddaughter Kirstie Houston, and her sister-in-law Carol Welch.

The family would like to thank caregivers Sharmela and Debbie for years of care and Shelly and Amanda for recent care. Appreciation also goes to Dr. Jacqueline Bennett and her staff for many years and numerous Community Hospice staff for care over the past month. The family also thanks mom’s Warner Road neighbors and our NiskaBeach family. She often said “I am blessed” and she was.

Relatives and friends may visit on Tuesday August 25, 2026 from 3-5pm with a service beginning at 5 at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Road, Colonie.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donations to: Northeast New York Breakthrough T1D (Juvenile Diabetes Research),1757 Central Ave Suite 102, Albany, NY 12205 or online at www.breakthrought1d.org, Fanconi Anemia Foundation 360 E. 10th Ave, Suite 201 Eugene, OR 97401, The Community Hospice Foundation, 310 S. Manning Blvd, Albany, NY 12208.

To leave a special message for the family online please visit NewComerAlbany.com