Obituary of Melanie F. Bleich

Melanie Bleich of Clifton Park, NY passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 2, at her home with her daughter Allison and husband Martin by her side. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Melanie was born in Brooklyn, NY in 1945, the daughter of Benjamin and Lenore Ladner. She graduated cum laude from Queens College of the CUNY with a degree in education. After moving to Albany, she taught at Hudson Valley Community College for 27 years. She retired in 2006 as a Professor of Academics. She received numerous teaching awards including the HVCC President’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 1999 and the State University of New York Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching in 2001. Melanie is survived by her husband Martin, her daughter Allison Bayer, her son-in-law Craig Bayer, her grandsons Jake and Brady, her sister-in-law Harriet Bleich, and numerous cousins and friends. She died after a long illness. Melanie traveled extensively throughout the United States, South America, Africa, Asia, and Australia. She will be lovingly remembered for her effervescent personality, her generous heart, and her deep and abiding friendships with all who knew her. Melanie and Martin were married for 47 years. Services will be held at the Levine Memorial Chapel, 649 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12206, at 1:00 PM on Tuesday, May 5, 2015. Interment will follow the service and be at the Independent Benevolent Society Cemetery, in Albany.