Barbara Yonkers

Barbara Crawford Yonkers of Averill Park died peacefully in her home Thursday, May 3, 2018 after a long illness. She was born in Albany, NY on October 2, 1934, the eldest child of Evelyn (Acker) and Robert Crawford. Barbara was the loving wife of Paul Yonkers for 62 years. She is survived by her husband, Paul, her brother Robert "Bud" Crawford, her children, Susan, David (Hydee), Paul (Dixie), Helen Russo (Jim), Gary (Deidre), Jennifer Klena (Rich), Jeanne Taylor (Tim), and Karen Callanan (David), 18 grandchildren, and many nieces, nephews and their spouses and children. She was predeceased by her parents, including her beloved step-father Clarence Turner. Barbara was a 1953 graduate of Rensselaer High School in Rensselaer, NY. She married her husband, Paul, in 1955. The couple soon moved to beautiful Burden Lake, where she lived until the time of her death. Barbara was a faithful parishioner of the Catholic Community of St. Henry in Averill Park. Throughout her life, Barbara loved people, especially babies. She enjoyed cooking and caring for her family and friends, and was a devoted wife, mother, aunt and grandmother. She was well known for her delicious dishes and desserts, her lovely hand crafts, her personal style, and her enthusiastic warmth for everyone she met. Always thinking of others, Barbara's kitchen was never without a fresh baked good cooling on the counter, prepared as a gift for someone she knew, a local fund raiser, or by chance, for the mailman who was celebrating a birthday. Her ready smile and laughter blessed everyone who met her and remained her distinguishing trait even through her final days. The family extends heartfelt thanks and appreciation for the loving care shown to Barbara during her illness by Cindy, Jane and Lisa of Quality Home Care. Calling hours will be at the W.J. Lyons, Jr. Funeral Home, Inc., 1700 Washington Avenue Rensselaer on Wednesday May 9, from 4-7 pm. A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, May 10, at 10:30 am at the Catholic Community of St. Henry in Averill Park. Interment will follow the Mass at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery East Greenbush. In lieu of flowers, the family invites donations to: Alzheimer's Association of Northeastern New York 4 Pine West Plaza, Suite 405, Albany, NY 12205 or The Community Hospice 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205