Mary L. VanSchaick

Mary L. Agnew (VanSchaick, Young), 60, of Glenmont, NY passed peacefully on the evening of Sunday, September 14, 2025 surrounded by her family following a year and a half long battle with Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

Mary was born in Little Falls, NY on February 13, 1965 to Edward and Patricia (Darrow) Young of Canajoharie, NY. Mary was a graduate of Canajoharie High School and an active participant in her local 4H Troop. She attended SUNY Plattsburgh and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Media and Communications. Mary moved to Albany, NY following college and began working for the Center for Disability Services, first as a residential day supervisor at Riley House and then as the Assistant Manager of Marketing and Communications. Mary also worked as a Marketing Specialist for the NY State Credit Union League. Around 2000, Mary shifted her career focus to stay home with her children, opening her in-home day-care business which she successfully ran until this past year.

Mary has been a resident of Bethlehem for the past 33 years. She married Charles Agnew in July of 2022 and they recently celebrated 15 years together. Both for her own and all she came in contact with, Mary loved children. She was a proud mother to three children and two step children, and beloved ‘Nana’ to her grandchildren. She was an active role model in local Girl Scout Troops, serving as Troop Leader for over 10 years and was actively involved in her sons’ Boy Scout Troop 1149/1011. Mary was a natural caretaker and took pride in caring for young people, forming lifelong bonds with the families and children she knew. Mary had a vibrant personality and loved to laugh and help others. Throughout her life, she dedicated herself to having a listening ear, a helping hand, and being a kind person.

Mary loved the beach–specifically lighthouses–and had a special place in her heart for Nantasket Beach and Cape Cod. She loved to cook and experiment with new recipes that she could share with her family. She had a green thumb which she developed as a child on her family’s farm. She brought those skills into her garden and took great pride in the flowers she nurtured in her yard. In her spare time, Mary loved to garage sale with her life-long best friend Deanna Belden, to visit with friends and family, and to see new places. Mary was a devoted fan of Union College Dutchmen Ice Hockey and a member of the Garnet Blades booster club. Mary attended St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Delmar, NY and St. James/St. Francis of Assisi Church in Albany, NY.

Mary’s family would like to thank the doctors at NYOH, Dana Farber Cancer Institute and the team at Albany Medical Center D4 East for their professionalism and compassion.

Mary was predeceased by her father, Edward Young. Mary leaves behind a loving family, including her husband, Charles of Glenmont; her mother, Patricia Young of Canajoharie; her siblings Edward Young of Scotia, his son Aiden, Andrew (Lola) Young of Howes Caves, Amy (Jeff) Gould of Galway, their children Alexis and Hunter; her three children Samantha, Joshua, and Sarah VanSchaick; her two step-children Laura (Dylan Dobert) Agnew of Halfmoon and William (Lindsay) Agnew of Manfield, MA; and her two grandchildren, Liam and Quinn Agnew and Jeffrey VanSchaick (Elaine Hill) of Glenmont. Mary is also survived by many aunts, uncles, cousins and friends who will miss her dearly.

Visitation hours will be held at Applebee Funeral Home in Delmar, NY on Friday, September 26, 2025 from 4 to 7 PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Thomas the Apostle Church in Delmar, NY on Saturday, September 27, 2025 at 10 AM. Mary was a symbol of strength and love; we welcome you to celebrate and mourn her memory with us.

In lieu of flowers, Mary’s family has asked that donations be made to Wicklund Warriors, a local nonprofit organization which provides assistance to those diagnosed with blood cancer. Information can be found at www.wicklundwarriors.com. Online donations may be made at https://www.paypal.com/US/fundraiser/charity/1563892 or by scanning the QR Code below or by mail to Wicklund Warriors, PO Box 11152, Loudonville, NY 12211.