ALBANY- Mary Jane Mossman passed away peacefully on March 26, 2026 surrounded by the love of her family. She was 89 years old. Mary was the seventh of eight siblings born to the late Eugene and Barbara (Manz) Walter. Born in Albany, NY, she remained in the area throughout her life.
Family has always been at the center of Mary's life. Whether as daughter, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother or great-grandmother, her heart was full She was a vibrant woman who loved her family deeply and without hesitation. She cherished those around her and expressed that love freely through her words, her thoughtful actions, and her warm, ever-ready embrace. To know Mary was to be considered family. Her door and her arms were always open wide to both family and friends, old and new. Mary was the definition of love and kindness.
Mary had a passion for baking, a gift she shared with family and friends. Her kitchen was a place of comfort and joy, where cookies, cakes and pies were made, not just for special occasions, but because she believed that every day was worth celebrating. If you ever received a box or tray of Christmas cookies, you knew you were loved.
She also loved to travel and embraced life with a sense of adventure, becoming a true jet-setter over the years. While she explored many beautiful places around the world, her favorite destination was always the feet-in-the-sand, and listening to the steady rhythm of the ocean waves. And, of course, she was always happy to come back home again.
Mary's love extended beyond her immediate family. Through the daycare business she started with her daughter Karen, she became a second mother , aunt and grandmother to countless children. Her home was a haven of creativity, safety, joy and laughter, where childhood flourished and ordinary days became lifelong memories. She gave each child who came through her door a sense of belonging and unconditional love.
Mary's legacy lives on, not only in the memories she created, but in the love she taught others to give. She showed her family how to gather, how to celebrate one another, and how to love without condition or reservation. She will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.
In addition to her parents, Mary is pre-deceased by her brothers, Eugene Walter, Richard Walter and James Walter; her sisters, Ruth McAuliffe, and Dolores Willey and her son, Robert Mossman.
Mary is survived by: her brother, John Walter and his wife, Carol of Schenectady NY ; her sister, Dorothy Rice of Colonie NY; her son, Frederick H Mossman and his wife, Martha of Madera CA; her daughter, Mary Katt of Albany NY; her daughter Karen Smith and her husband Edward of Albany NY; her grandchildren: William Katt of Ithaca NY; Laura Munn and her husband, Chris of Rensselaer NY; Kira Cagwin and her husband, Kyle of Little Falls NY; Michael Katt and his wife, Moriah of Waynesburg PA, and Corey Green of New Vienna OH; and her great-grandchildren: Johann Munn and Cooper Cagwin, in addition to many nieces and nephews.
In addition, she will be greatly missed by her family of the heart including: Elaina Mariana, Vincent Mariana, Kim Williams, Steven and James Gillett and her very dear friend Patti Cline and her husband, John.
Mary's family and friends are welcome to attend a celebration of her life at the Life for the Nations Church, 9 Mariana Lane, Albany from 4 – 7 pm on Thursday, April 9th.
There will be a graveside service held for close family and friends at 12 noon on Friday, April 10 at Memory Gardens Cemetery.