Obituary of Theresa May (Salmon) Gilchrist Wayne

SLINGERLANDS- Theresa May (Salmon) Gilchrist Wayne, 87, of Slingerlands passed away on January 11, 2016 peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her loving family. Theresa was born to the late Charles and Lucille (Douglas) Salmon. She was raised in Glens Falls, with her four siblings before moving to Green Island, where she graduated from high school. Wife of the late Robert Wilson Gilchrist, she lived in Albany for almost 60 years, and raised their eight children on her own after Robert passed away in 1960. She subsequently married the late Lester Wayne. Theresa was a strong, independent and active woman, who worked for NYS OGS for 30 years before retiring in the mid 1990's. She was a good friend to many, whether co-workers or neighbors such as her long-time friend the late Nancy Pawelchak, with whom she went shopping, to the movies, to the Saratoga Raceway, or on boat trips. She also loved traveling to Maine with her son, Daniel, his wife Barbara and her late sister, Mary "Mimi" Ocha. She was a dedicated and loving grandmother, and treasured her animals, such as her beloved Mittens, Misty and Mabel. In her later years, she moved to Glens Falls where she lived with, and cared for her sister, Mimi, with whom she was very close until Mimi's passing in 2013. She lived her last year with her precious daughter, Susan Mahoney, Susan's husband Edward, and her oldest grandson, Eddie. She spent her final weeks under the care of her son, Daniel Gilchrist, and daughter-in-law, Barbara. She is pre-deceased by her twin sons, James and John Gilchrist, her husbands, Robert Gilchrist and Lester Wayne, and her siblings, Geraldine Belski, Mary Ocha, Edward Salmon and Clarence Salmon. She is survived by her children, Phyllis Allegretta, Edward Gilchrist, Daniel Gilchrist, Susan Mahoney, William Gilchrist, Robert Gilchrist and Mary Lou Lennon (and spouses) as well as many nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, too numerous to list, but all of whom she cherished and who, in turn, greatly loved her. Services will be private. The family requests, in lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association or St. Jude.