Obituary of Mary Jane Harden

MARY JANE (DePIETRO) HARDEN

LATHAM – Mary Jane (DePietro) Harden, 98, passed away peacefully, Saturday, February 22, 2025, at the Schuyler Ridge Nursing Facility, surrounded by her loving family after a long illness.

Born September 12, 1926 Mary Jane was the daughter of the lateMatthew and Della (Boudreau) DiPietro. Mary Jane was raised and grew up in Cohoes. Prior to marrying her late husband George L. Harden, she was employed by NYS as a clerical assistant. She and George were married in 1946 and they moved to Latham where they raised their family of five children.

Jane and George shared a love of music and dancing and in the 1950s, they opened the first area record store, Latham Records. Growing up, her children remember their mother as having a beautiful singing voice and would often harmonize with their father. Jane and George had four daughters and on their 22nd wedding anniversary, January 13th, 1968, they were blessed with their only son George. During visits at Schuyler Ridge, George would encourage her to sing her favorite songs of which always obliged and brought her great joy.

Jane was a devoted mother and homemaker; an excellent cook, baker, host and an avid reader. She had a deep devotion to Our Blessed Virgin Mary and prayed the rosary daily. She was a devoted communicant of St. Ambrose Church attending the 4:30 Saturday mass regularly for many years before her illness. She was beautiful with a sense of style and glam inherent to the era she was raised in often coordinating with her favorite colors of purple and lavender. She also loved the paranormal and a good ghost story.

In addition to her parents, Mary Jane is predeceased by her loving husband of over 62 years, George L. Harden as well as her infant grandson Jacob Matthew Meehan.

She was the devoted mother of Ann Faas, Susan (Gregory) Murray, Terry Smith and Christine (Chuck) Meehan and George M Harden. She was the cherished grandmother of thirteen grandchildren, nine great-grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. Also survived by several nieces and nephews.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to her caregiver Rochelle Landry for her kindness and compassion which allowed her to live at home for many years prior to entering the nursing home. Also, their sincere gratitude to the many caregivers at Schuyler Ridge Nursing home for the excellent service they provided to their mother.

Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Monday, March 3rd, 2025 from 9:00 to 10:20 AM at St. Ambrose Church, 347 Old Loudon Rd., Latham. Mass of Christian Burial will immediately follow beginning at 10:30 AM. Interment beside her late husband will follow the mass and take place at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Harden's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association Northeastern New York Chapter by visiting www.alz.org/northeasternny.

Arrangements have been entrusted by the family to the care of The Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, Latham. For further information or to leave a condolence message for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.