Obituary of Wanda M. Lubinski

WANDA M. LUBINSKI Cohoes- Wanda M. Lubinski, 61 of Cohoes, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at the Hospice Inn at St. Peter's in Albany. Born in Troy on April 25, 1954 she was the daughter of Mary (McGraw) Lubinski and the late John Lubinski. She was a 1972 graduate of Shaker High School. Wanda was employed with the Office of Mental Health in Albany for 39 years. At one time she was the program director for the South End Task Force, President of CSEA Local 673. She coordinated blood drives and fundraisers. She was secretary/treasurer for Statewide Mental Hygiene Advisory Council and Editor for the Union and Community newsletter. She also chaired the Human Rights & Employee Assistance Program, Affirmative Action, Statewide L/M Team, Statewide CSEA/P. She was on the Honorary Committee for the Urban Voices Annual Banquet from 2003-2004 and the United Way Community Investment Team from 2002-2003. She was a Participant Trainer for the National Coalition Building Institute. Wanda received the NOW Making Waves award in 1999 and the JC Penney Golden Rule Award in 1998. She was the Secretary for the Coalition Black Trade Unionists and crisis counselor for the Albany County Rape Crisis Center. She volunteered for the Unity House Families in Crisis Program and received certificates of appreciation from the Volunteer Bureau of OMR/DD. She was involved with the Youth Opportunity Program, OMH Minority Affairs at United Way and was nominated Employee of the Year four times. She was Editor of the SETF newsletter an Outstanding Publication Award nominee, Council of Albany Neighborhood Association in 1995. She was nominated for the NYS Community Service Lifetime Award in 1998 and the Thomas Senchyna Award in 1997 and 1998 and was on the OMH Emergency Response team (SEMO) in 1998. She is survived by her loving mother: Mary Lubinski of Green Island, Longtime friend and companion: Ralph Mazorra of Albany, her siblings: Jary (Joseph) Lubinski-Grimes of Latham and St. Petersburg, FL and John A. (Jeanae Washington) Lubinski of Valatie; her Niece: Joann (Bruce) LaPort of King, NC and Nephew: Jason A. (Lora Thibodeau) Lubinski of Green Island as well as her Great Niece: Sarri Brownlee and Great Nephew: Nathaniel Brownlee. Also survived by several aunts and uncles. Relatives and friends are invited and may call on Saturday, February 27, 2016 from 2:00-4:00 pm at the Dufresne & Cavanaugh Funeral Home, 149 Old Loudon Road, Latham. In lieu of flowers memorial contributions can be made in Wanda's memory to the Community Hospice Inn at St. Peters, 315 S. Manning Blvd, Albany, NY 12208. For directions, information, to light a memory candle or order flowers for the family please visit www.dufresneandcavanaugh.com.