"Gilda" (D'Arcangelo) Battalino

Erminegilda Prima Luigia "Gilda"Battalino, (AKA Battaglino), 98, a 83 year area resident of Helderberg Ave., died on Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at the Kingsway Arms Nursing Home. Gilda was born in Chieti, Italy on March 17, 1915 to the late Antonio and Livia D'Arcangelo. Her parents immigrated to the U.S. in 1923 and settled in Watertown, NY. They moved to Schenectady in 1933 where she graduated from Mont Pleasant High School and then attended Skidmore College as an Art major. Gilda married Emil Battalino in 1939, and during the World War II years worked at General Electric as an Inspector Supervisor of B-29 aircraft transmitters and motors. She later worked I the Drafting Department. In addition to raising a family, Gilda performed a variety of volunteer work for the local hospitals, library, Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, was a nursing home recreation aid and at the election polls. Gilda became an accomplished artist, specializing in portraits, landscapes, oil, watercolor, ink and pastel. She was a member of the Schenectady Art Society and the Schenectady Council of the Arts. Gilda won numerous art awards and had several public showings of her work. Her paintings draped the walls of many local establishments. She was also fluent in several languages. In addition to her parents, Gilda was also predeceased by her husband, Emil, who died in 2008 and her brother, Rinaldo M. D'Arcangelo. Gilda is survived by her son, Terry Battalino of Pittsfield, NH., and her daughter, Claudia Ungerlandand her husband Paul, of Rexford, her brother,A. Martin D'Arcangelo of Georgiaand several nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held on Monday morning from 9-11 am at the DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home, 1605 Helderberg Ave. Funeral services will begin at 11 am at the funeral home. Burial will be at the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schulyerville. Memorial donations may be made to Community Hospice of Schenectady, 1411 Union St. Schenectady, NY, 12308.