Phyllis O'Shea Palladino

Phyllis O'Shea Palladino, died Wednesday,  October 10, at home in Austerlitz, NY after a long illness. Born in Ilion, NY on September 27, 1937 she was the daughter of the late Francis B. O'Shea and Edith A. Butler.

Phyllis taught English at Chatham High School from 1980 to 1998. She brought a creative and challenging experience to all the students whom she taught. Prior to that, she taught in Catholic schools at high school, middle school and elementary school levels for 12 years. She earned her BA in English from Siena and an MS in Guidance from SUNY Albany. She was a guidance counselor at Chatham Junior High School in 1972-73, and later, an adjunct professor at SUNY Albany. In 1992, she was awarded the New York State English Council (NYSEC) Teacher of Excellence medal. In addition to her school related work, Phyllis has been Vice President and a member of the Board of Trustees of the Austerlitz Historical Society. Autumn in Austerlitz, the School House Re-union, Dinners at old Austerlitz were among her significant ideas in her leadership role in AHS. She authored "The Adventures of Dan and Meg."

She is survived by her husband of forty years, Philip Palladino; her children, Daniel and Margaret-Mary; her sister, Patricia O'Shea; and grandson K. Hannibal Ben Chaabane. She was predeceased by her brother Francis J. O'Shea.

Burial will be in the Austerlitz Cemetery at the convenience of the family. A memorial reception for friends and neighbors will be held at the family residence, Phyllis' beloved home, at 11631 State Route 22, Austerlitz on Saturday, October 20  from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, a contribution may be made in her memory to the Community Hospice of Columbia Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill, NY 12414 or the Austerlitz Historical Society, PO Box 144, Austerlitz, NY 12017.