Obituary for Lauretta M. "Laurie" Dybas (Karabin)
NEWTONVILLE – Lauretta “Laurie” M. Dybas, formerly of Amsterdam, or “granmmy” as she was affectionately known, passed away at Albany Medical Center Hospital in the early morning of Sunday November 27, 2022 at the age of 86 after suddenly being taken ill the previous day. The daughter, and youngest child of John and Violet (Magnuszewka) Karabin, Laurie was born in Amsterdam, NY on May 25, 1936. She was raised and educated in Amsterdam, graduating from St. Stanislaus School in 1950 and from the former W.H. Lynch H.S. in 1954.
In her youth, Laurie aspired to a career in nursing. However, life had other plans and she switched gears by choosing instead to enter the workforce upon her high school graduation and take on the role of secretary for the General Electric Company in Schenectady, NY.
Shortly after beginning her new career, she met a man, John W. Dybas, who she would marry on October 27, 1956. Together they shared the next 50 years as husband and wife, until his passing in 2006. Soon after marriage, Laurie left the workforce and took on the role of mother with the birth of son Michael. She would have two other sons with whom to share her life, David and Donald, to make the family complete.
Upon returning to the workforce in 1981, she secured a position with the Amsterdam Housing Authority as a clerk/typist and retired in 2001 as Assistant Section 8 Director, completing a successful 20 years with the organization.
Laurie was a lifelong parishioner of St. Stanislaus Church, having served as a Eucharistic Minister and member of their Altar Rosary Society. After moving to the Latham area in 2007, she attended Mass at St. Pius X church in Loudonville.
As she chose for her senior quote, “true to her work, her word, her friends” – this encapsulated Laurie’s nature without fail. Nothing was more important to her than her strong devotion to her Catholic faith, being present and sharing in the lives of her family, and enjoying the camaraderie and laughs with her many friends. She was a doer and was never afraid to get “her hands dirty” as she would often remind us, in whatever needed to be done. From volunteering for her children’s many school functions, to preparing her delicious bread and baked goods for various bake sales and holidays, to focusing her energies in retirement by making use of her early nursing aspirations to care for her husband during his years of illness, Laurie was always willing to cheerfully participate and lend a hand in any way necessary.
Being the mom of three boys, sports, especially baseball, played a large part of Laurie’s motherhood. From watching her sons compete throughout their youth to enjoy watching her grandchildren’s games, Laurie was always interested and proud in seeing them develop in their play. She also enjoyed catching a few innings of the NY Yankees ballgames and in her later years, enjoyed watching the NY Giants, NY Rangers, and attending Siena basketball games whenever it was possible. Having studied piano in her youth, Laurie held a special place for music, and looked forward to, and thoroughly enjoyed, attending her grandchildren’s annual school concerts. She also loved and enjoyed the latest addition to her extended family – “Tucker” – a playful Golden Retriever puppy who brought her much joy and sloppy kisses as soon as he noticed her.
Laurie was welcomed at Heaven’s Gate by her mom Violet and dad John, brothers Richard Karabin and Robert Karabin, sisters-in-law Mary Celmer, Irene Ilnycky, Evelyn Karabin, Jean Karabin, Clara Karp, and Jane Markos, nephews Paul Karabin and Ken Celmer as well as her husband John W. Dybas.
Left to mourn her memory are her children and their families. Michael (Susan) of Rochester, NY; David of Newtonville, NY; and Donald (Theodora) of Latham, NY. She shared a close and special bond with the “lights of her life” - her three grandchildren – William of San Francisco, CA; Elizabeth of Cohoes, NY; and Stephen of Latham, NY. In addition, she leaves behind her nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends she met along the way.
The family appreciates and would like to thank the doctors and nurses that cared for our mom and grandmother – Dr. Tami Seaman MD and Dr. Hani Shahata MD of CCP; Dr. Mark White and Emily Berguson PA of Albany Medical urology; Dr. Rina Jacob MD and Rebecca Thompson NP of Upstate Oncology/Hematology; Dr. Lincoln Page DPM and the various doctors and nurses at AMCH who shared in her treatment during the past few years.
Laurie’s Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the Church of St. Stanislaus, 50 Cornell Street, Amsterdam on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 11:00 am. Burial after completion of the service at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Steadwell Avenue, Amsterdam. The family welcomes visitors at the Bowen & Parker Bros. Funeral Home, 97 Old Loudon Road, Latham on Thursday, December 1st from 4-7 pm.
Those wishing to remember Laurie in a special way may either send contributions to the Church of St. Stanislaus, 50 Cornell Street, Amsterdam, NY 12010 or to Siena College, earmarked for the “David W. Dybas ’86 and Donald M. Dybas ’88 Scholarship Fund,” Development Office, 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211-1462.
Condolence book at bowenandparkerbros.com.
In her youth, Laurie aspired to a career in nursing. However, life had other plans and she switched gears by choosing instead to enter the workforce upon her high school graduation and take on the role of secretary for the General Electric Company in Schenectady, NY.
Shortly after beginning her new career, she met a man, John W. Dybas, who she would marry on October 27, 1956. Together they shared the next 50 years as husband and wife, until his passing in 2006. Soon after marriage, Laurie left the workforce and took on the role of mother with the birth of son Michael. She would have two other sons with whom to share her life, David and Donald, to make the family complete.
Upon returning to the workforce in 1981, she secured a position with the Amsterdam Housing Authority as a clerk/typist and retired in 2001 as Assistant Section 8 Director, completing a successful 20 years with the organization.
Laurie was a lifelong parishioner of St. Stanislaus Church, having served as a Eucharistic Minister and member of their Altar Rosary Society. After moving to the Latham area in 2007, she attended Mass at St. Pius X church in Loudonville.
As she chose for her senior quote, “true to her work, her word, her friends” – this encapsulated Laurie’s nature without fail. Nothing was more important to her than her strong devotion to her Catholic faith, being present and sharing in the lives of her family, and enjoying the camaraderie and laughs with her many friends. She was a doer and was never afraid to get “her hands dirty” as she would often remind us, in whatever needed to be done. From volunteering for her children’s many school functions, to preparing her delicious bread and baked goods for various bake sales and holidays, to focusing her energies in retirement by making use of her early nursing aspirations to care for her husband during his years of illness, Laurie was always willing to cheerfully participate and lend a hand in any way necessary.
Being the mom of three boys, sports, especially baseball, played a large part of Laurie’s motherhood. From watching her sons compete throughout their youth to enjoy watching her grandchildren’s games, Laurie was always interested and proud in seeing them develop in their play. She also enjoyed catching a few innings of the NY Yankees ballgames and in her later years, enjoyed watching the NY Giants, NY Rangers, and attending Siena basketball games whenever it was possible. Having studied piano in her youth, Laurie held a special place for music, and looked forward to, and thoroughly enjoyed, attending her grandchildren’s annual school concerts. She also loved and enjoyed the latest addition to her extended family – “Tucker” – a playful Golden Retriever puppy who brought her much joy and sloppy kisses as soon as he noticed her.
Laurie was welcomed at Heaven’s Gate by her mom Violet and dad John, brothers Richard Karabin and Robert Karabin, sisters-in-law Mary Celmer, Irene Ilnycky, Evelyn Karabin, Jean Karabin, Clara Karp, and Jane Markos, nephews Paul Karabin and Ken Celmer as well as her husband John W. Dybas.
Left to mourn her memory are her children and their families. Michael (Susan) of Rochester, NY; David of Newtonville, NY; and Donald (Theodora) of Latham, NY. She shared a close and special bond with the “lights of her life” - her three grandchildren – William of San Francisco, CA; Elizabeth of Cohoes, NY; and Stephen of Latham, NY. In addition, she leaves behind her nieces, nephews, cousins, and many friends she met along the way.
The family appreciates and would like to thank the doctors and nurses that cared for our mom and grandmother – Dr. Tami Seaman MD and Dr. Hani Shahata MD of CCP; Dr. Mark White and Emily Berguson PA of Albany Medical urology; Dr. Rina Jacob MD and Rebecca Thompson NP of Upstate Oncology/Hematology; Dr. Lincoln Page DPM and the various doctors and nurses at AMCH who shared in her treatment during the past few years.
Laurie’s Mass of Christian Burial will take place at the Church of St. Stanislaus, 50 Cornell Street, Amsterdam on Friday, December 2, 2022 at 11:00 am. Burial after completion of the service at St. Stanislaus Cemetery, Steadwell Avenue, Amsterdam. The family welcomes visitors at the Bowen & Parker Bros. Funeral Home, 97 Old Loudon Road, Latham on Thursday, December 1st from 4-7 pm.
Those wishing to remember Laurie in a special way may either send contributions to the Church of St. Stanislaus, 50 Cornell Street, Amsterdam, NY 12010 or to Siena College, earmarked for the “David W. Dybas ’86 and Donald M. Dybas ’88 Scholarship Fund,” Development Office, 515 Loudon Road, Loudonville, NY 12211-1462.
Condolence book at bowenandparkerbros.com.