Mery C. Seeman-Sokal

ALBANY – Mery C. Seeman-Sokal, 68, passed away on Friday, July 9, 2021.  Mery was born and raised in Endicott, the daughter of the late John W. Seeman and Billie Dunlap Seeman.  She attended Maine-Endwell High School, was a graduate of the University of Hartford, and received her Master’s Degree from Marywood College.  A Licensed Clinical Social Worker, she lived in Vestal for a time, and was employed by Family Services of Chemung County, The Blind Work Association and Catholic Services in Binghamton.  She then came to the Capital District, and was employed by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, and Clinical Services in Albany, before entering private practice. As a social worker, she helped many clients, and shared her curiosity towards life.

Mery was a charming, caring woman who was genuine and real. Full of good humor, she was always ready with a quick laugh. She had many close, life-long friends and was always open and welcoming to all.

She was always up for adventure and exploration. She loved the wild places, especially the Adirondack Mountains, where she hiked, camped, canoed and snowshoed. Mery met her husband Steven Sokal through the Adirondack Mountain Club Singles group. They were married in 2002 and shared many adventures.

She was tireless in sharing her love of wilderness with others. Mery served on the ADK Adventure Outings Committee for years, and led trips in Minnesota, North Carolina, Utah, Italy and Spain. She also supported the ADK Trails Committee, did trail work and cooked for the crews.

She later served as an instructor in DEC’s Becoming an Outdoors Woman program. She was also an interpretive guide at the Pine Bush Visitor Center, Newcomb Visitor Information Center and Adirondack Museum.

Mery loved playing tennis and bicycling in the area and with friends biked the Erie Canal.  She loved music, and played flute in chamber music groups, hosted drum circles and sang alto with the Octavo Singers in Schenectady. She also loved and supported Steven’s avocation in playing keyboards in the Swing Docs, an amateur Big Band.

For relaxation, she enjoyed cooking, fine dining, gardening, shopping in second-hand and antique shops, and travel. She and Steven had favorite spots in the US they visited frequently – Cape May, New Jersey, Florida, and the Rocky Mountains.  They toured together abroad including Spain, Mexico, British Virgin Islands, Costa Rica, India, and Belgium.

Mery is survived by her beloved husband Steven A. Sokal; her sister Laurie Seeman of New City; her sister-in-law Anne Sokal; her brother-in-law James Sokal (Diane); her niece Nell Skoda; and her nephew Jonas Skoda.

A memorial service will be held on Friday, September 17th in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Ave., Albany at  3:00 p.m.  Relatives and friends are invited, and may call at the funeral home prior to the service from 1-3 p.m.  The family suggests memorial contributions to The Adirondack Center for Loon Conservation, PO Box 195, Ray Brook, NY 12977.  To leave a message of condolence for the family, or find updated service information, please visit www.HansFuneralHome.com .