Obituary of Barbara Pilliod

Barbara Kane Pilliod, born February 7, 1943 to Veronica and Matthew Kane, died peacefully on October 10, 2014 in her home and surrounded by her family. Barbara was a New York City kid who grew up on the East side of Manhattan. In the 1960s, Barbara joined the Sisters of Charity where she taught middle school aged children in Manhattan and was active in the Civil Rights and Peace movements of that era. In the late 60s, she left the convent and worked as a teacher in East Harlem and as an editor for Random House. She married David Pilliod in 1972 and had a daughter and twin sons. She was a Latin and Philosophy scholar, and a highly skilled writer. She received a master's degree in philosophy from the New School, while caring for her three children. She stayed at home with the kids until school age and between naps and playgrounds, continued to work as a writer and editor for several companies. In the late 70s, the family moved to Niskayuna, which like a true Manhattanite, Barbara described as moving to the country. Barbara had an illustrious and varied career in marketing and public relations in the Capital Region, including positions at the State of New York, Intermagnetics General, MapInfo Corporation, The Lally School of Management at RPI, and the Transfinder Corporation. In her professional life, Barbara was a leader, mentor, and most importantly, a friend to many of her colleagues. She was always one of the few women at the table, but rather than trying to break the glass ceiling, she often chose to tap dance on top of the glass instead. Barbara celebrated life to the fullest. She loved movies, the theater and good restaurants and always marked special occasions with well-planned and memorable parties. And she had a wonderful and generous love for her family, relishing the times she spent with her husband, children, and grandchildren. She also loved the ocean, and with her children living on both coasts, was able to walk many beaches. Her favorite is a small barrier island in northern Massachusetts called Plum Island. Barbara is survived by David Pilliod, her husband of 43 years; her daughter, Karen Voetsch and son-in law, Andrew Voetsch, and their two children, Charlie and Veronica; her son, Michael Pilliod and daugther-in-law, Audrey McLoghlin; and her son, Brian Pilliod, daughter-in-law, Lindsay Pilliod, and their two children, Emmet and Rex. Her four grandchildren will miss their Nana. A wake will be held at Daly's Funeral Home, 242 McClellan St., Schenectady, NY on Friday, October 17th from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. A Mass celebrating her life will be held at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church on Union Street at 10 a.m. on Saturday, October 18th. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, donations in Barbara's memory can be made to Community Hospice at www.communityhospice.org.