Mary Hillerman

Hillerman, Mary SCHODACK Mary Beard Hillerman, 69, of Shufelt Rd., Schodack, N.Y., went home to be with the Lord on Wednesday, November 28, 2007 after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Born in Himrod, N.Y., March 29, 1938, she is the daughter of Adelbert Beard of N.C. and the late Alma (Erway) Beard. She graduated from Watkins Glen Central High School in 1956 and later in life was proud to have received her associate's degree from the Finger Lakes Community College, graduating with honors in 1990. Mary retired from the Victor Central School District in 1996 after 22 years as an administrative assistant in the district office. Mary gave tirelessly of her time, always finding a way to contribute to church and community. She was a founding member of the United Methodist Church in Farmington, N.Y. and had recently, after relocating to Schodack, N.Y. two years ago, joined the North Chatham United Methodist Church. Mary served for several years on the board of the Victor Community Baseball Association and was a longtime member of the Farmington-Victor Kiwanis and had recently become a member of the Castleton Kiwanis. In the 1980s, she was the first woman elected to serve on the Farmington Town Council, where she completed one term. Mary and her husband Bob grew up in the Watkins Glen, N.Y. area, where they were married in 1961. They moved to the Victor-Farmington Area in 1969 where they resided with their two children, Lucinda and Stephen. They resided there until 2005 when they relocated to Schodack, N.Y. to be closer to their children and grandchildren. Mary delighted in having built a home there where she shared many happy family times before her passing. Mary had many special talents and helped to make the world a more beautiful place through her gardening and her artwork. Her radiant smile will linger in the memories of all those who knew her. Mary's life was a witness to her faith in the Lord, which never waivered through the pain and challenges of her illness. She found strength in her faith and helped others to do so as well. Besides her father, she is survived by her loving husband of 46 years, William Robert Hillerman; a son, Stephen R. Hillerman and his wife Catherine of Niskayuna; a daughter, Lucinda Hillerman Buckley and her husband Jim of Malden Bridge, N.Y.; a brother, William G. Beard of Churchland, N.C.; her sister-in-law and husband, Linda and Dale Jaynes of Reynoldsville, N.Y.; her brother-in-law and wife, Larry and Suzanne Hillerman of Reno, Nev.; three grandchildren, Robert Winthrop Hillerman, Amanda Catherine Hillerman and Alice Mary Buckley; and several nieces and nephews. Funeral services will be held Sunday at 2:00 p.m. from the North Chatham United Methodist Church with the service conducted by Rev. Robert DeFelice. Interment will be Monday at 1:00 p.m. in Pleasant View Cemetery, Reading Center, N.Y. Relatives and friends may call Saturday from 5-7 p.m. at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Inc., Route 9, Valatie, N.Y. For those who wish, contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Rd., Loudonville, NY 12211; the North Chatham United Methodist Church, PO Box 107, North Chatham, NY 12132; or the Rensselaer County Hospice, 295 Valley View Blvd., Rensselaer, NY 12144.