Ona M. Curran

Curran, Ona M. ESPERANCE Ona M. Curran, 88, of Creek Road, died Thursday, August 9, 2012, after a long illness, at the Avenue Nursing Center. Mrs. Curran was born in Brooklyn and lived in Schenectady and then Niskayuna for 25 years, moving to Esperance in 1990. She graduated from Hofstra University with a B.A. in economics and a M.A. from the State University of New York in museum studies. She had a lifelong interest in the arts. She served as curator and acting director of the Schenectady Museum in the 60's. Ona was director of the Schenectady County Historical Society, later served on the board of trustees of the Society and was instrumental in the conservation of the Society's art collection. She was editor of the Society Quarterly in the 60's and 70's as well as editor of the newsletter for several years. She was an art historian and the author of "Thomas McIlworth/Colonial New York Portrait Painter and Faces of Schenectady 1715-1750." The Society received an award from the Museum Association of New York for the latter. Her articles on regional portraiture appeared in "Antiques Magazine." She was a certified appraiser of antiques and fine art and member of the Appraisers Association of America for 20 years as well as a lecturer and museum consultant. She was predeceased by her husband of 52 years, Harold P. Curran M.D., who died in 2005 and is survived by two sons, Peter and Richard and two grandchildren, Hannah and Dylan. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral which will begin Wednesday, August 15, 2012 at 9:15 a.m. at the Gleason Funeral Home, 730 Union St. and at 10 a.m. at St. John the Evangelist Church where the Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Calling hours will be Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. Burial will be in Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the St. John the Evangelist Restoration Fund, Schenectady County Historical Society, Schoharie Valley Animal Shelter or a charity of one's choice.