Obituary for Mary F. Karafanda (Filak)
Latham - Mary F. Karafanda, 96, entered into eternal life peacefully on Wednesday, December
23, 2020 at Our Lady of Mercy in Guilderland, following a brief illness.
Born in Cohoes, on August 24, 1924, she was the beloved wife for over 49 years of the late
Samuel Karafanda, and the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Filak. Mary was a graduate of
Cohoes High School and obtained her Accounting Degree from SUNY Albany attending part-
time while raising her two young children. After obtaining her degree, she worked as an
accountant and senior auditor for the N.Y.S. Department of Taxation for over 25 years.
Her greatest love was her family. She endured the heartache of the tragic loss of her daughter
Mary Anne on Valentine’s Day 1998. She loved being “Bobbi” to her four “little angels”,
grandchildren Samuel, Madeline, Claire, and William. She loved her son William, and her
daughter-in-law Diane, whom she always considered to be her daughter.
Mary was a strong, proud and very independent woman, living on her own in her Latham family
home until her recent illness. She was proud of her Ukrainian heritage and deep Ukrainian
Catholic faith. She loved cooking, baking, sewing, gardening, and spending her summers
camping in Lake George.
She served as a role model to her grandchildren, for her willingness to take on any challenge.
She self-taught herself so many things over the years and found no task that she could not
conquer. Mary had a sharp mind and wit that was present with her to the very end.
Survivors include her loving son, William (Diane) Karafanda and her cherished grandchildren,
Samuel Karafanda, Madeline Karafanda, Claire Karafanda, and William Karafanda. She is also
survived by several nieces, and nephews. In addition to her husband and daughter, she was
predeceased by her siblings, Peter, Pauline, Anna, Julia, John, Joseph, William and Dorothy.
The family wishes to thank the aids at Home Instead and staff at Our Lady of Mercy for the
compassionate care Mary received during her brief stay.
Due to the pandemic, funeral services will be private at this time. A celebration of Mary’s life
will be held at a later date.
Interment will be next to her beloved husband Samuel and daughter Mary Anne in Sts. Peter
and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Waterford.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian
Catholic Church, 198 Ontario St., Cohoes, NY, 12047.
To express your sympathy or share a treasured memory visit Fitzgeraldfuneralhomeltd.com
23, 2020 at Our Lady of Mercy in Guilderland, following a brief illness.
Born in Cohoes, on August 24, 1924, she was the beloved wife for over 49 years of the late
Samuel Karafanda, and the daughter of the late Joseph and Mary Filak. Mary was a graduate of
Cohoes High School and obtained her Accounting Degree from SUNY Albany attending part-
time while raising her two young children. After obtaining her degree, she worked as an
accountant and senior auditor for the N.Y.S. Department of Taxation for over 25 years.
Her greatest love was her family. She endured the heartache of the tragic loss of her daughter
Mary Anne on Valentine’s Day 1998. She loved being “Bobbi” to her four “little angels”,
grandchildren Samuel, Madeline, Claire, and William. She loved her son William, and her
daughter-in-law Diane, whom she always considered to be her daughter.
Mary was a strong, proud and very independent woman, living on her own in her Latham family
home until her recent illness. She was proud of her Ukrainian heritage and deep Ukrainian
Catholic faith. She loved cooking, baking, sewing, gardening, and spending her summers
camping in Lake George.
She served as a role model to her grandchildren, for her willingness to take on any challenge.
She self-taught herself so many things over the years and found no task that she could not
conquer. Mary had a sharp mind and wit that was present with her to the very end.
Survivors include her loving son, William (Diane) Karafanda and her cherished grandchildren,
Samuel Karafanda, Madeline Karafanda, Claire Karafanda, and William Karafanda. She is also
survived by several nieces, and nephews. In addition to her husband and daughter, she was
predeceased by her siblings, Peter, Pauline, Anna, Julia, John, Joseph, William and Dorothy.
The family wishes to thank the aids at Home Instead and staff at Our Lady of Mercy for the
compassionate care Mary received during her brief stay.
Due to the pandemic, funeral services will be private at this time. A celebration of Mary’s life
will be held at a later date.
Interment will be next to her beloved husband Samuel and daughter Mary Anne in Sts. Peter
and Paul Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery in Waterford.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Mary’s memory to Sts. Peter and Paul Ukrainian
Catholic Church, 198 Ontario St., Cohoes, NY, 12047.
To express your sympathy or share a treasured memory visit Fitzgeraldfuneralhomeltd.com