GUILDERLAND - Mary Elizabeth Conlin Bruce, 91, died peacefully Thursday, December 14, 2017 at the Community Hospice Inn at St. Peter’s Hospital. She was born on June 3, 1926 in Troy, NY and raised by the Sisters of Charity in St. Joseph’s Home and later St. Vincent’s, both in Troy.

She attended Catholic High and then worked as a switchboard operator for “Ma Bell” (AT&T) before her marriage to Willard A. Bruce, who predeceased her in 2011. With Willard’s encouragement and the help of two nuns, Sister Claire and Sister Gabriel, Mary was able to obtain information about her mother, Gladys Conlin-Goldstein, of Brooklyn. The two reunited and maintained a close relationship until Gladys’ death in 1968. Mary was also reunited with a brother, James Goldstein, as well as many cousins, with whom she remained close.

Mary and Willard raised their six children in Albany, Latham, and Loudonville, and though they divorced in 1977, they remained lifelong friends. Mary returned to work as a switchboard operator for Albany Medical Center, where she stayed for 17 years, and then worked for five years at Marine Midland Bank. She was married to George Mulligan from 1986 until his death in 1991.

Throughout her life, Mary was a devoted Catholic who sang in parish choirs at St. Cashmere’s in Albany, St. Pius X in Loudonville and Our Lady of the Assumption in Latham. She performed in several church musicals during the 1960s, and after her children were grown, she enjoyed attending live musical performances at local restaurants and clubs where she was often invited to come up to the microphone and sing, showcasing her beautiful voice.

She had a soft heart for animals, and in her later years surrounded herself with pets, living independently in her home, her mind still clear and her sense of humor still lively.

Survivors include her brother James Goldstein of North Carolina; daughters Debra Bruce of Chicago, Donna (Dave) Lavin of Pinedale, Wyoming, Deidre Bruce (Thomas Warden) of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and Mary Bruce-Craft of Albany; her sons, Willard (Sally) Bruce of Albany, and Kevin (Karen) Bruce of Cambridge; grandchildren Kevin Kinnebrew, Spencer (Margaret) Bruce, Alex (Krissy) Bruce, Andrew (Maria) Bruce, Kyle Lavin, Monica (Tate) Hudson, James Bruce, Willard (Olga) Bruce, Parker Bruce, Colleen Craft, Hayden Craft; and son-in-law Frank Craft of Albany; as well as six great-grandchildren.

Our family would like to thank the staff at St Peter's Hospital and Community Hospice for their care and compassion during our mother’s last days with us. A special thank you to her home care providers and friends Richard, Anne and Elizabeth, whom she was very fond of.

Relatives and friends may call at the Bowen & Parker Bros. Funeral Home, 97 Old Loudon Road, Latham on Sunday from 2-5 pm with the funeral service at 4:30 pm with Rev. James Walsh officiating.
Following cremation, her ashes will be interred in the spring at Albany Rural Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Hudson Mohawk Humane Society, 3 Oakland Avenue, Menands NY 12204 or online at mohawkhumane.org.

Condolence book at bowenandparkerbros.com.

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