Obituary of Elizabeth Rourke

Elizabeth “Betty” Coluccio Rourke, 83, of Troy, beloved wife for 50 years to William G. “Bill” Rourke, who passed away in 2014, peacefully entered into eternal life surrounded by and in the care of her loving family, in the comfort of her home on Tuesday, August 20, 2024.

Born in Albany, New York, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Vittoria Oppedisano Coluccio and was a graduate of “VI”, Vincentian Institute, Class of 1959 in Albany.

Betty was a bundle of positive energy, a great friend, an amazing cook, and just irreverent enough to keep us all laughing without crossing too many lines. She loved her family most of all and raised three loving children, kept her husband (mostly) in line for (mostly) the 50 years that they were married, and was an amazing “Grammie” to her 6 grandchildren.    

Betty spent several years at home raising her children before going back to work. She retired from the City of Troy where she served as Deputy City Clerk and had also served as the Confidential Secretary to Mayors Conway, Eaton and Pattison. In retirement, Betty returned to the workforce at St. Joseph’s Provincial House, Samaritan Hospital as Switchboard Operator,  and also volunteered at “The Gift Shop” there.

Friendship was very important to Betty, and she made deep and loving friendships wherever she went. Until Bill passed away, Betty loved spending winters in Florida and made several close friends there. Her children’s friends (and their moms) became her own. And her lifelong network of dear, dear friends at home remained an important part of Betty’s life, from her days of Hillsview Heights neighborhood parties to the work friends from her days in Albany to the Highpointe Salad Night Crew. Of special note, is Betty’s friend of more than 40 years,  Linda Thomas, who supported her incredibly during her cancer journey.

Over her lifetime, Betty was very involved in her community and served on the PTA at Carroll Hill School in Troy, the Ladies Auxiliary of Samaritan Hospital, the Highpointe Homeowner’s Association Board of Directors. Having a voice in politics was important to her, and Betty was a Committee-person and Poll Watcher with the Rensselaer County Democratic Committee. Her faith was defining for her, and she was a communicant of St. Mary of the Assumption Church in Waterford and formerly a communicant of the former St. William’s Church in Troy.

Her family will miss Betty’s devotion, love and support. She was the mother of Dr. Mary Rourke (Ira Kedson) of Wallingford, PA, Thomas Rourke (Colette) of Clifton Park and Stacey (late, Jeremiah) Sweeter of Clifton Park, cherished “Grammie” to Jack and Benjamin Kedson, Adam and Nicholas Rourke and Molly and Elizabeth Sweeter, sister of the late Joseph (late, Marie) Coluccio and the late Theresa (late, Herbert) Scialabba, sister-in-law of Jean (late, Thomas) Rourke and the late Mary T. Rourke. Betty was also the cherished aunt to many beloved nieces and nephews.

Funeral Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, August 23, 2024 at 1:00 P.M. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, 119 Broad St. Waterford, NY 12188.

Relatives and friends are invited and may call at the John J. Sanvidge Funeral Home, Inc. (corner of 115^th Street and Fourth Avenue) in Lansingburgh on Thursday, August 22, 2024 from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00p.m.

Those desiring, may make memorial contributions to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Pl, Memphis, TN 38105-9959, in memory of Elizabeth “Betty” Rourke.

Betty’s family wishes to thank the friends and family who have supported and rallied her over the past few years. Your calls, texts, visits, helps with doctor’s appointments, food platters, and general expressions of love have kept us going. They would also like to offer their sincere gratitude to her doctors, nurses and to The Community Hospice of Rensselaer for their wonderful and loving care.

Please feel free to offer your on-line Condolences or view the Memorial Video by using those tabs on this website.