Alberta M. (Lapham) Madonna

Alberta M. (Lapham) Madonna, 92 a resident of Schenectady passed away peacefully on March 30, 2022.
Born in Washington DC on April 1, 1929, she resided in her family home of 3 generations in Schenectady. The daughter of Emma May and Clarence Lapham, she graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School and was employed as a manger by the Imperial Department Store downtown until it’s closing, at which time she then took a job as Director of Purchasing with the New York State Assembly, eventually retiring from the NYS Assembly.

At a time when women were rarely in politics, Alberta was very active in union affairs at GE. In 1950 she became the Schenectady County Secretary for the statewide Liberal Party founded in 1944 and held the position for multiple terms. In 1992 she was nominated for the position of 1st Vice-Chairman of the state’s Liberal Party and was the first woman to be so nominated. In 1964 she joined the Board for Municipal Housing of the City of Schenectady and was a Chairman of the Board in 1969 and again in 1981. In 2018 she was honored by the Mayor of Schenectady for her then 54 years of service to the Municipal Housing Board, becoming a Patroon of the City.  

Alberta continued to serve on the Board in various roles, right up through March 22, 2022 @ age 92 when she physically couldn’t continue and had to resign.  She also served on the city’s Planning Commission and was one of the early Board Members of Better Neighborhoods Inc., and served as Chairman of the City’s Community Development Committee in the mid-1960’s. She also served as a NYS Electoral College member in the 1996 and 2000 elections, honoring her years of service. 

Her passions were community service to her beloved City of Schenectady and caring for all people, animals and environment. She was also passionately devoted to her Catholic faith.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband Albert J. Madonna, first husband Raymond E. Greiner and birth daughter Monica Greiner who died of Leukemia at the age of 10.    Alberta is survived by her loving family:  Sisters: Marilyn (late-Richard) Brewer, Clarissa (late-John) Sullivan, Linda (late-John) Abele,  her birth son Paul Greiner of Henrico VA (Betty Jean Greiner of Richmond VA), daughter; Dorothy Madonna-Razzano (James) of Rotterdam NY, sons, Albert J Madonna Jr. (Pam) of Clifton Park NY, James Madonna (Marcia) of St. Cloud Fl.  

She is also survived by her grandchildren: Donna (Jeff) Cascini, JoAnn (Joe) Bink, Laura (Joe) Signore, James Razzano, Jennifer Faas, Rebecca Faas, Lucas (Margaret) Madonna, Autumn Madonna, Travis Greiner of San Tan Valley AZ and Derek Greiner of  Newark AR, 9 Great Grandchildren, in addition to many special nieces and nephews. 

The family would like to give a very special thank you to the entire staff at Ellis Hospital for their wonderful care and assistance.

Calling hours will be held on Thursday, April 7, 2022, from 9:30-11:30 a.m. at the DeLegge Funeral Home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial 12:15 p.m. at St. Joseph's Church, State St., Schenectady.  Interment will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to Leukemia Foundation, ASPCA  or other desired charities in her name.

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