Werdina Hamil

On April 10, Werdina Hamil,95, was called home by her father in Heaven. She passed peacefully at Teresian House Nursing Home in Albany, NY.
Werdina was born in West Virginia on March 27, 1925. Her family settled in Endicott, New York, proudly embracing and continuing the Italian traditions and community of the North Side.
Werdina is predeceased by her husband, Edward J. Hamil; her beloved granddaughter, Heather M. Hamil; her parents, Josephine and Benjamin Proietti; and her siblings Tena Gentile, Josephine Ciotoli, Elizabeth Fontana, and Joseph Trovata.
Werdina was a devout Catholic and a member of Saint Anthony of Padua Church.
Werdina lovingly raised 5 children: Dennis M (Karen E) Cochardo, Karen L Cochardo, Kathy Hamil, Maureen (Joe) Savona, and Colleen (Garner) Ferris.
In addition to her own children, Werdina shared close and special relationships with her nieces and nephews Donna (Joe) Giles, Anthony Gentile, Jereane (Gordon) Williams, David (Lynne) Fontana, Laura (Steve) Ranucci, and Caesar (Maryann) Ciotoli.
Werdina was the proud and doting grandmother of Dennis M (Stasi) Cochardo, Ed Cochardo, Lauren (Ryan) Hastings, Matt Cochardo, Michael Savona, and Aaron Savona, along with several great-grandchildren.
Werdina excelled in many careers. She began selling women’s fashions at Rose May’s Designer Dress Shop and JJ Newberry’s department store, quickly rising to management positions. During World War II, she served her country by working in an IBM factory, inspecting cargo doors for US fighter jets. Werdina partnered with her husband, Edward, to build a successful construction business. Later in life, she worked in Women’s Fashions at Burt’s Department Store. Werdina’s greatest accomplishment and joy was her contribution to her family as wife, mother, and homemaker.
Family was Werdina’s top priority. She worked tirelessly to provide a clean, welcoming home. She cooked delicious meals and derived great joy feeding her family and anyone who visited. Nobody ever left hungry after visiting Werdina’s house. Our home was the gathering place for many celebrations. Werdina loved to decorate, and was well known for changing the decor in her entire home, including her guest restroom, to welcome each season.
The holidays were always a special time at Werdina’s house. Each year, she’d begin the day after Thanksgiving, baking and freezing up to 25 different types of cookies and several varieties of nut breads. Werdina’s legendary cookie trays were enjoyed by many visitors and eagerly anticipated every Christmas.
Werdina’s family would like to thank the incredible team at Teresian House, 2A, led by Timesha, Ilene, and Sister Patricia. Every team member treated Werdina with respect and love. We’re grateful to all of you for providing kindness and support to our mom, especially during the COVID-19 quarantine when we couldn’t be there, and we send blessings to each of you and your families.
Due to the current social distancing requirements, the family will have a small private mass and burial, with a larger celebration of Werdina’s life at a later date. Our thanks to Allen Memorial Home in Endicott, New York.
In lieu of flowers, we’d gratefully accept donations to the Teresian House Foundation, 200 Washington Avenue Extension Albany, NY 12203.