Mary G. Dobert

Dobert, Mary G. DELMAR Mary G. (Gifford) Dobert, age 67, died October 26, 2007 at Albany Medical Center with her family at her side. Mary was born in Syracuse, N.Y. to Laurence S. Gifford and Catherine B. (Barry) Gifford (both deceased) and moved to Delmar at an early age. She attended Bethlehem Central schools and graduated in 1958 from Bethlehem Central High School. Mary was a 1962 graduate of Saint Rose College in Albany with a bachelor of science degree in chemistry. She started her career at Sterling Winthrop Drug in Rensselaer but soon left to raise her family. Mary was a gifted seamstress and, to raise money to help send her children to college, she started a business with her good friend Barbara Van Aernem, designing and making elegant gowns for wedding parties. After her children were grown, she went to work for the State of New York and retired in 2006 from the comptroller's office retirement call center. Mary was a wonderful Tole painter and active participant in the Tuesday Tolers, a painting group in Delmar. She loved cooking for family and friends, and was also an avid gardener and voracious reader. Mary's family was the center of her universe. She is survived by her husband of 43 years, Thomas J. Dobert. They have two devoted children, Shawn Dobert St. James and her husband Brian of Delmar and Timothy J. Dobert and his partner Betsy Heartfield of Crested Butte, Colo. She had two wonderful granddaughters, Nieve (8) and Ainsley (6) St. James, who were the lights of her life. Mary is also survived by her brothers, Laurence S. Gifford Sr. and his wife Pat of Belfair, Wash., Barry J. Gifford and his wife Barbara of Scituate, Mass. and James K. Gifford and his wife Shirley of Danville, Calif. "Aunt Mary" was adored by 11 nieces and nephews. Relatives and friends are invited to call at Applebee Funeral Home, 403 Kenwood Ave., Delmar, N.Y. on Monday, October 29 from 4 to 8 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 9:30 a.m. Tuesday, October 30 at St. Thomas the Apostle Catholic Church, 35 Adams Place, Delmar. Those desiring may send a remembrance in Mary's name to the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network, PanCan, 2141 Rosecrans Ave., Suite 7000, El Segundo, CA 90245.