Donnelly, Elizabeth M. “Bette”

ALBANY-Her race run and the prize won, Elizabeth (Bette) Donnelly (nee Pinckney) passed away peacefully on Sunday, July 26, 2015, having enjoyed the fullness of 95 years .A lifelong resident of Albany's Besch Avenue and accomplished pianist, Bette is survived by her daughters Mary Beth and Catherine, sons John, Peter, Kevin and Stephen, grandchildren John, Mark, Jared, Scott, Ryan, Maeve, Fiona, Sean, and Laurie; great grandchildren Harper, Ronin, Bronx, Cassius, Abby, Caitlin, Emma, Grace and Mia; and numerous nieces and nephews.She was predeceased by her husband of forty years, John, in 1983, brother Andrew Pinckney, sister Helen (Lusk), and by her beloved, and youngest, child, Anne, in 2006. She also outlived her many staunch and lifelong friends, though the advancing dementia which eventually claimed her graciously spared her long term memory, permitting Bette the frequent joy of recalling happier times.

Returning to the work force after raising her seven children, Bette was for many years employed in the Marriage Tribunal office of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany, finally retiring at the age of 80.In 2004, State Senator Martin Golden honored her with the Outstanding Senior Citizen of the Year award for her years of volunteer work on behalf of numerous organizations, which included Little League, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, the College of St. Rose, and Bishop Maginn High School Alumni.

As a parishioner of Albany's St .James Roman Catholic Church, Bette brought joy and comfort to dozens of seniors for many years with her weekly visits to area nursing homes. May her generosity inspire those who survive her to fill the void left by her passing.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday, July 31, 2015 at 10:00 am in St. Francis of Assisi Church (formerly St. James), 391 Delaware Ave.. Burial will follow the Mass in St. Agnes Cemetery, Menands. Relatives and friends are invited and may visit with her family on Thursday, July 30, 2015 from 4-7 pm at the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, Inc., 490 Delaware Ave.