Obituary of Lynn M. Sitrin

Lynn M. Sitrin, 76, of Delmar, New York, and Sarasota, Florida, died peacefully at her Delmar home surrounded by her loving family on September 6, 2012 after a valiant fight against melanoma cancer. Born in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Lewis J. Madison and Nettie G. Madison. Lynn was raised in Albany and graduated from The Albany Academy for Girls in 1953, the State University of New York, at Albany, with a B. A. degree in 1957, and the State University at Albany, with a M. A. degree in 1962. She completed the College of St. Rose ITT P program in 1962, and was certified to teach K- 12. Lynn taught in both the Albany and Bethlehem school systems before leaving to raise her children. Lynn returned to work at the State Education Department in the Division of Federal Education Opportunity Programs and then moved to the Office of Drug and Substance Abuse, as Special Assistant to the Commissioner. She later was Deputy Director for Prevention in DSAS. She left DSAS to work in the private sector in the field of drug abuse prevention, from which she retired. Lynn is a former member of the New York State Association of School Business Officials, former Director of Gideon Lodge # 140, B'nai B'rith Housing Development Company, where she actively served on its first Admissions Committee, and a former member of the Senior Adult Committee of the Jewish Community Center. She was a member of Hadassah, Congregation Beth Emeth Sisterhood, several organizations in Sarasota and numerous animal rights and environmental groups. She is survived by her husband of 55 years, Harris; a son Steven, of New Haven, Ct., and his wife Rebecca Gratz and their three children, Shira, Isaac and Danielle and a daughter Lauren Duerr, of Andover, MA, and her husband Charles and their three sons Evan, Henry and Mitchell. She was predeceased by a sister Joan (Irwin) Ullman of New Jersey. Services will be held at Congregation Beth Emeth, 100 Academy Road in Albany on Sunday September 9, 2012 at 11:00am. Interment will follow in the Beth Emeth Cemetery in Loudonville, NY. Those wishing to remember Lynn in a special way may make a memorial contribution to Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205 or the Animal Protective Foundation, 53 Maple Avenue, Scotia, NY 12302. The period of mourning will be observed at the Sitrin residence, 11 Haddington Lane in Delmar, NY on Sunday and Monday evenings from 7-9pm.