Olivia Rose VanAlstine

Schenectady: Olivia Rose VanAlstine, 13, of Schenectady, affectionately known to many as Liv, daughter of Gale E. VanAlstine, Jr., and Helene L. Kiskis, passed away unexpectedly due to an undetected heart disease on Thursday March, 15, 2012. Olivia was born in Lowville, on April 30, 1998. She grew up in the Lyons Falls and Port Leyden area, attending Glenfield Elementary School, before moving out of the north country. Olivia began her Junior High years in Bangor, ME, where she joined the accelerated science team. From Maine her family moved to Schenectady, NY, where Olivia was currently a member of the 8th grade class at Draper Middle School in Rotterdam. Olivia will be remembered by all for her zest for life. She was an outgoing loving person who was always looking for someone to help. A social butterfly, Olivia enjoyed time with her friends in and out of school. She had a very, very forgiving spirit and promoted peace, love, health, and happiness. Olivia was active in her school community as an anti-bullying advocate for kids, and wasn't afraid to stand up for what is right and just. Olivia was a person who set goals, and worked hard to achieve them. She aspired to become a lawyer, and spend her adult life as an advocate for abused children. Olivia had many hobbies and interests. She enjoyed sewing, and could often be found making pillows, purses, and sock dolls. She had a great interest in animals, especially alpacas. Olivia was a firm believer in the Bible's teachings, a faithful Christian, and loved our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Above all, Olivia loved her family, especially time spent with her nieces and nephews. Besides her parents, Olivia is survived by three sisters, and four brothers whom she dearly cherishes and loves: Mandi Riesel, Johnstown, Tessa Hoffert, Turin, Emily VanAlstine, Schenectady, Randy Reisel, Graceville, FL, Darrin Riesel, Schenectady, Nathaniel (Amie O'Brien) Stafford, and Kyle Riesel, both of Lyons Falls. Olivia is also survived by her paternal grandparents, Gale E. (Victoria) VanAlstine, Lyons Falls, and her maternal grandparents Alice Damuth, Schenectady, and Daniel Kiskis, Venice, FL, several adored nieces and nephews, many aunts, uncles, and cousins. Her funeral will be on Wednesday, March 21, at 2 P.M. at the Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. 143 Schuyler St. Boonville, with Pastor Joe Feller of the Boonville First Baptist Church officiating, with interment to follow in Turin Cemetery. Calling hours will be Wednesday from 12:00 Noon until the time of the Service. In Memory of Olivia, donations can be made to the American Heart Association, Heart Gifts Processing Center, P.O. Box 3049, Syracuse, NY 13220, or to the Child Abuse Prevention Association, 503 East 23rd Street, Independence, MO 64055.