Obituary of Jennie A. Fedele

Albany- Giovannina “Jennie” A. Fedele (nee Allegra) 95, of Albany passed away peacefully of natural causes on September 22, 2021 with her daughter by her side.

Born to the late Salvatore and Domenica (Sterrantino) Allegra in Albany, NY. Jennie graduated from Philip Schuyler High School with her dear longtime friends Gracie (Faranda) Caulkins & Angie (Sidoti) Dederick. Shortly after graduation, she went to work for Winthrop Stearns in Rensselaer, NY processing special pharmaceuticals. It was there she met a new dear friend, Helen Donahue, someone she stayed close to all her life.

A night of dancing at The Blue and White Tavern in Rensselaer, NY led her to her future husband, Peter J. Fedele. Pete was taken by Jennie’s beautiful smile and quiet demeanor & they married on Halloween October 31, 1954. “Quiet” Jennie and adventurous Pete began their life together. They took a month-long honeymoon traveling from NY to FL and everywhere in between, enjoying live shows in NYC, family visits in the mid-Atlantic states and hotspots in the Florida sunshine before settling into married life and soon after, their grocery store business on 2nd Street in Rensselaer.

Jennie devoted her life to her family. She delighted all with her cooking and baking skills. When she wasn’t tending to her home & four children, she helped at the store, giving her some much needed social time. Many happy memories were made over the 20 + years they lived in Rensselaer. All helped by good neighbors like Margaret Lourinia, Helen Whitford, and their families.

With the devastating loss of the family store in 1981, Pete & Jennie headed south to the Dallas, TX area to start again. Jennie went to work at Al’s Import store making much sought after savory Italian foods, like her scrumptious meatballs & Italian sauce. Sadly, it was in Texas where she lost her beloved husband Peter and son Pete.

She eventually moved back to Albany and enjoyed her cozy home at St. Sophia’s Apartments, right next door to her sister Rose. They shared lots of laughter and stories with their pals from their old “south end” neighborhood. Jennie stayed busy! She enjoyed reading her Danielle Steele books, rarely missing an episode of “Murder She Wrote,” and staying fit doing her Angela Lansbury exercise tape. She was always crocheting and knitting, mostly blankets, and soon started doing her Seek & Find books, which she said, “keep me going.” She continued to cook and shared her delicious baked goods with her friends and neighbors. For many years she sent greeting cards to all members of her and Pete’s families, rarely missing any special events in their lives

Always devoted to her family, Jennie took turns traveling to visit her daughters throughout the year celebrating various holidays and birthdays. She loved spending time with them, especially her beloved and adoring grandchildren. She was selfless, a gentle and thoughtful woman. She worked hard and practiced her faith. Her faith sustained her; she prayed for everyone and rarely missed a Sunday mass, thank you Susan Tobin!  She said her rosary every night. Many times she would ask someone to help her find them because they had slipped out from under her pillow. Her children thank her for all those prayers!

Jennie is survived by her three daughters and families, Donna & Dan Hecht of Texas, Joann & Jim O’Riordan of New Hampshire, and Paula Fedele of New York. She is also survived by her grandchildren Gina, Laurie and Alex, her brother-in-law Salvatore Fedele, sisters-in-law, Rosemary Fedele, Helen Fedele, and many nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her beloved husband Peter and son Pete, parents, siblings, and many Fedele in-laws. Jennie’s family would like to thank the Teresian House, especially the 6A staff who saw Jennie’s gentleness and kept her safe and healthy these past three years. We are so grateful.

Please join us as we celebrate her life at the W.J. Lyons Jr. Funeral Home, 1700 Washington Avenue, Rensselaer, NY. Calling hours will be Monday, September 27 from 4-7pm. Funeral services will be held at the funeral home Tuesday, September 28th at 10am. Interment will be in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush.