Rosemary R. Vanderwarker

Albany - Rosemary Rita Vanderwarker, 94, of Albany, passed away peacefully on September 25th,2026, at Albany Medical Center, surrounded by family.

She was born July 22nd, 1932, at Brady Hospital in Albany, to James and Mary Rose Helou. Rosemary graduated from Cathedral Academy in Albany with the Class of 1950. She started her career in a clerical role with the State of New York, before moving into a legal secretary position at Bruno and Summers Attorneys at Law. In February 1979, she began working for the US Postal Service at the Karner Road General Mail Facility as a Customer Service Clerk-Stenographer. She was later promoted to Confidential Secretary to the Director of Customer Service, a job she held until her retirement.

Rosemary was kind, loving, and always there for others. Her caring and generous spirit manifested in many ways, from spending quality time with friends and family to sharing her love of cooking and baking, particularly in the form of Christmas cookies.

A trained vocalist, Rosemary sang at church and weddings and enjoyed opera and popular music of the 1950s and 1960s. Much of her time was passed alongside her longtime friend and companion, James Plunkett. The pair traveled often and spent many summers at his camp on Willsboro Bay.

Rosemary is survived by her two sons, Richard (Joan) Vanderwarker and Steven (Susan) Vanderwarker; four grandchildren, Kristen (Shaun) Thomson, Kevin (Erica) Vanderwarker, Keri (Alex) Racette, and Karah (Matt) Ziegler; and seven great-grandchildren, Chase, Emerson, Jacob, Mason, Everly, Cody, and Cameron. She also leaves her nieces, Cindy (Joe) Lennon, Mary (Joe) Helou, and Jacqueline (Matt) Vilmany; and nephews, James (Marlene) Hodge and James (Phoebe) Helou III. She was predeceased by parents James and Mary Rose Helou, siblings Anne Charlebois, Phyllis Hodge, Jacqueline Manzella, and James Helou Jr, and partner James Plunkett.

A celebration of Rosemary’s life will be held on Tuesday, October 6th at Christ the King Roman Catholic Church (20 Sumter Ave, Albany, NY 12203). Friends and relatives are invited for visitation at the church beginning at 9:30 AM. Mass will follow at 10:30 AM. Immediately after, burial will be at Calvary Cemetery (481 US-9W, Glenmont, NY 12077). Memorial contributions may be made to the Regional Food Bank, 965 Albany Shaker Rd. Latham, NY 12110.