Leona C. Hamelin

Leona “ Lee” Hamelin, born on October 23, 1930, in Bethlehem New York died at home, where she lived with her daughter Joyce, on August 2, 2025.

She was predeceased by her parents, Helen and Cyrille Dushane, 16 brothers and sisters, and ex-husband‘s Benardino Caputo and Herman Hamelin.

She worked at Whitney‘s department store at a young age and also as a draftsperson in Syracuse for a short time where she worked on the space needle. But working in a man’s world at that time was not easy. She returned to Albany and worked as a cocktail waitress at Kay’s and Hellmann’s restaurants. She later worked at Sears as a collection agent then moved onto the Barbizon as a seamstress. She had a home business as an incredibly talented seamstress where she worked on everything, from a simple hem to a full wedding dress. She eventually gave up the business but sewed for her family until her death.

Life was not always good to her while being a strong, single mom in the era she lived in. Sometimes, with barely enough money for food, electric or heat. Yet, she prevailed and raised 4 strong women on Birch Ave. in the Village of Colonie, which she loved and would have moved back.

Her hobbies, besides sewing of course, were reading and doing Dot to Dot and hidden treasure books, which was tough keeping up on purchasing them for her because she had done them all. She loved clowns, her plants, and chocolate. At the age of 80, with the help of her grandson Michael, she got her first and only tattoo to the surprise of everyone.

As her family continued to grow, and grow up, she looked forward to holidays and family get-togethers. Her love for cuddling babies was unmatched, bordering on obsessive and if there was a baby in the room, no one else could get their hands on them. She enjoyed an occasional Jamison in her coffee, or on the rocks, or a perfect Robroy (if you could pull it off!) As the years passed, her health and body slowly declined but she always had her mind and said whatever was ever on it!!

She is survived by "her four girls”, as she lovingly called them, her daughters Joyce Gannon, Adora Libertucci, Jane (Scott) Rector, and Joni Bequette. Her 10 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren, Timothy (Kayla) Dermody, Erin(Jackie, Kenzley, Bryce) Welch, Michael (Sophie, Teddy) Fronk, Kelly (JC, Joseph) Mangano, Amanda (Gary, Dezeree, Gary) Holland, Leslie (Eric, Emily, Jimmy) DeLorenzo, Jessica (Isaac, Jayden, Wyatt) Berry, Andrew Rector, Daniel Rector and Sunny Nowacki.

To our Mom, Grandma, Great-Grandma and friend, job well done. We love you and may you rest in peace. ♥️

A visitation will be held on Saturday August 9th, from 10am-11:30am, with a service immediately following at 1130am, at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Rd Colonie NY. 

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude's Children's Hospital.