Sr. Francesca Husselbeck

Albany- Sister Mary Francesca (Alice) Husselbeck, died Sunday, January 19, 2025 in St. Peter's Hospital, Albany, New York. Born in Latham, New York, she was thedaughter of the late Francis and Margaret LaBombard Husselbeck. Fran earned an associate degree from MariaCollege, Albany; a bachelor's degree in education from Russell Sage in Troy;and a master's degree from St. Michael's, Winooski, Vermont. Sisterentered the Presentation Sisters in 1955 at St. Colman's Home in Watervlietwhere she spent many happy years with the children who resided there. In 1976 she became a Sister of Mercy andspent the rest of her life devoted to their charism. Her ministries included teaching at St.Ambrose School in Latham; Sacred Heart School in Albany; St. Paul's inSchenectady and Catholic Central High School, Troy. SisterFrancesca was one of the co-creators of Bridge Center in Schenectady. She served as program director at Arbor Houseand as co-director of North Country Ministry in North Warren County. In 1999, Father George Fleming as Pastor andshe as Parish Life Director modeled a form of pastoral leadership enriching theparishes in the Northern Points Cluster (Blessed Sacrament, Hague; St. John theBaptist, Chestertown; and St. James, North Creek). Her ministry from 2006 until retiring in 2012was as Parish Life Director at St. James Parish in North Creek. Fran'sministries were varied; her deep spirituality, her openness to everyone and herability to see God in whomever she met enabled her to make a difference in thelives of those to whom and with whom she ministered. One of her greatest sources of spiritualnourishment was her time spent in nature. She was an avid hiker, snow shoer and amateur naturalist. She was nourished spiritually outdoors. She found God in the call of the birds, cloudformations, rocks, moss, ocean sunrises, the moon and the mountains. Frannie climbed the 46 High Peaks in theAdirondacks, the 35 highest peaks in the Catskills, the Presidential Range inNew Hampshire and the highest peaks in Vermont. One might say she had many highs in her life. Bothof Sister Francesca's parents are deceased as are her brothers, ReverendFrancis Husselbeck and Joseph. She issurvived by her sister, Ellen Feeney (Gary) and many nieces and nephews,grandnieces and grandnephews. Relativesand Friends are invited to attend the reception of the body Thursday, January23, at 4:00 p.m. at the Chapel of the Convent of Mercy, 634 New ScotlandAvenue, Albany. A wake will follow, witha service of remembrance at 6:30 p.m. The Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be celebrated at 9:30a.m. Friday, January 24. Interment willfollow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, East Greenbush. Contributions in Sister Francesca's memorymay be made to the Sisters of Mercy, 634 New Scotland Avenue, Albany, NY 12208. Online condolences may be offered at www.wjlyonsfuneralhome.com