Saponara, Colombia

ALBANY-Colombia (Sinisgalli) Saponara, 86, passed away peacefully at home on Monday, August 7, 2017 surrounded by her loving family.

Colombia was born in Montemurro, Italy, the daughter of the late Domenic and Vincenza (Caropreso) Sinisgalli. Her father served in the US Army as a Corporal during WWII, enabling Colombia to come to the United States at the age of 17 and settle in what was then the Italian section of downtown Albany. She was followed by her mother and brothers, reuniting the family after WWII. Colombia was an assembly line worker for the Sterling Drug Company in Rensselaer/East Greenbush for 42 years, until her retirement. She was a dedicated worker and she took special pride in being a wife and mother. She loved cooking and keeping a beautifully clean and organized home for her family. Colombia loved to tell stories of growing up in Italy. She was generous, kind-hearted and beloved by family, coworkers and neighbors. She was a communicant of Historic St. Mary’s Church in Albany.

Survivors include her beloved husband of 64 years, Antonio Saponara; her son Philip Saponara and his companion, Fay Butler; her daughter, Nina Saponara; three grandchildren, twins, Elaina Saponara and Nicole “Nikki” Hennessey and Sergio Aieta; her great-granddaughter, Sofia; her brother, Giacomo “Jack” Sinisgalli and many cousins, nieces, nephews and in-laws in Italy. She was predeceased by her brother, Antonio Sinisgalli.

Special thanks to her companions, Lori Whiteash and Alicia Marruso and to the nurses of Albany County Community Hospice, Melissa, Jolene and Robaire.

Relatives and friends are invited to visit with Colombia’s family Thursday, August 10, 2017 from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Daniel Keenan Funeral Home, 490 Delaware Ave., Albany. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated Friday, August 11, 2017 at 9:30 a.m. at Historic St. Mary’s Church on Capitol Hill, corner of Pine and Lodge Streets, Albany. Burial will be in Our Lady of Angels Cemetery, Colonie.