Corinne M. Williams

DELMAR - Corinne Mae Williams passed away Sunday, July 28, 2024, at Albany Medical Center Hospital C3 comfort care after a valiant battle against complications following a stroke March 14.  Born Feb. 13, 1937 at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital, New York City, to Anna Kuzmack Williams and Jack Williams, Corinne was a graduate of Saints Peter and Paul Elementary School, Class of 1951, The Bronx, Millbrook Memorial School, High School Class of 1955, Millbrook, NY, and earned undergraduate and master’s degrees from the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia.

Growing up in New York City held fond memories for Corinne including her annual birthday treat, a visit with her dad to The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, taking herself at age 9 to Shea Stadium Ladies Day held Tuesday afternoons where she enjoyed an entrance ticket for $2, and to the movies when a nickel bought admission. A quick stop with her dance skating partner turned out to be at the home of his aunt, known as Gypsy Rose Lee. While there, Corinne played with her dogs including Great Danes and Chinese Cresteds, a breed which Corinne fondly owned in later life including Mikki, Pia, Belize and Blossom. In later years, the Big Apple’s excitement of theater, opera and baseball was sprinkled with star power recollections: A sidewalk encounter with the Beatles, a shared smile in passing with Richard Burton, a cousin's wedding with Tony Bennett as the favorite entertaining uncle, a Tiki Bar experience with RFK Jr. and M.M.

After a year in the Davids Manufacturing office, Corinne's NYC life sparkled as she went to work for McGavren- Guild Agency in radio and television station advertising, mingling with celebrities including Joan Crawford and Darren McGavin. After moving to Albany in 1965, Corinne worked briefly at Siena College in accounting before being hired by the New York State Division of Naval Affairs. She began a 32-year career as a city planner in emergency management with the Office of Civil Defense and National Disaster which was renamed the Office of Emergency Management. As a planner for that department, she was called to emergency events throughout New York state. In the thick of disasters such as floods, power outages, heavy snows, Corinne directed the emergency response, coordinating volunteer agencies such as Salvation Army, Red Cross, and the Amish who rushed to provide relief with meals, clothing and supplies for victims. It was during a local emergency response which required workers to be present around the clock that Gov. Nelson Rockefeller visited the hard-working crew and saw to it that they were provided with fitting sustenance catered by Joe's Deli of fond Albany fame.

With members of her dearly beloved family of friends including Gloria Mazure, her spouse of 32 years, Corinne enjoyed extensive cruises and travels to Greece, Britain, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Alaska, and many annual treks to Puerto Vallarta, Ogunquit, Cape Cod and Florida as well as to Prescott, AZ.; Taos, NM, Montreal and Quebec City, Que. Corinne’s enduring friendships and their years of joy brighten many corners of the world.

Corinne shared her time as a Cornell Cooperative Extension master gardener, and as a 30-year member of the Woodgate 1 Condominium Board. For many years, Corinne also served on the board of Our Brothers Keeper Foundation and was remembered as a stabilizing, rational voice who worked hard to find solutions for the support group for people with HIV/AIDS. Still fondly remembered in the group’s history is the popular annual fund-raising event created by Corinne, the T-Dance at L’Ecole Encore, hosted through the generosity of restaurant owners Vince Cowan and Paul Distabile.

Donations in Corinne's memory can be made to Capital District Humane Association, 19 Clifton Country Road, Clifton Park, NY 12065, a small dog rescue through which Corinne adopted her adored Bianca; Animal Protective Foundation, 53 Maple Ave, Schenectady, NY 12302; Mohawk Hudson Humane Association, 3 Oakland Ave, Menands, NY 12204; or St. Joseph's Indian School, PO Box 100, Chamberlain, SD, 57325-0100, a school she supported in honor of her father who was sent as a young boy from his Plains reservation to Carlisle Indian Industrial School in Carlisle, PA, the first government-run boarding school for Native American children.

Corinne was an organ donor, with cremation assisted by Hans Funeral Home, Albany, and columbarium interment at St. Michael's Episcopal Church, Colonie.  To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com.

"Til time stands still side by side, hand in hand, we’ve walked through wonders of the world. Our memories, now kept warm with love, play forever in our hearts." - GM