Jane DeMartino Obituary (2022) – Niskayuna, NY

DeMartino, Jane NISKAYUNA Jane DeMartino, 70 of Niskayuna, formerly of Marlborough, Mass. and Boston, died December 28, 2021 at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany. She was the daughter of the late Margaret “Peg” Martin DeMartino and S. Frank DeMartino of Marlborough, Mass. She leaves behind her sister, Anne D. Rejack of Latham; her brother, Jimmy (Julie) DeMartino of Cortlandt Manor, NY; and his nephews, Scott Rejack (Kristin) of League City, Texas and Brian Rejack (Josette Lorig) of Boulder Colo. She also leaves loving cousins ​​and many, many devoted friends in Massachusetts, New York, the UK and beyond. At the age of 21, in 1972, Jane suffered a devastating spinal injury that left her paralyzed from the waist down. Doctors therefore did not expect her to live past 40. Despite her limitations, Jane earned her driver’s license, earned a BA in art from the Massachusetts College of Art, and at one point was a member of Moray. Adaptive Scuba Association Inc. wheels in Boston. In 1978, she received a rosary from Pope John Paul II which he placed in her lap after taking an unexpected turn from the main aisle to bless Jane at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross. The image of Jane in a wheelchair is depicted on a ceiling mural of Mission Church in Boston. Jane has been a dedicated and devoted animal rescuer for nearly 21 years in the Capital District of Albany. She began this mission in Boston in the 1990s before moving to the Albany area to be closer to her family. She founded a charity, CATS Inc., Caring About the Strays, and maintained a safe haven for stray and abused cats, and some dogs. In 2004, Jane received the American Red Cross Hometown Hero Award for Animal Rescue. In 2009, she was nominated for the Albany Times Union Jefferson Award for Outstanding Community Leadership. Over the years, she has also been the recipient of numerous animal rescue awards and accolades. She is known and admired by many animal rescue groups in the Albany area. A visitation will be held Tuesday, April 5 from 4-6:30 p.m. with a service beginning at 6:30 p.m. at New Comer Cremations & Funerals, 343 New Karner Rd, Colony. Jane would smile and be grateful if donations were made to Caring About the Strays, Inc. c/o SEFCU, PO Box 12189, Albany, NY, 12212.