Nancy A (Diamante) Stinney

Kingston, NY - Nancy Diamante-Stinney, 78, went home to be with her Lord, on Monday May 18, 2015. There are so many things to say about this amazing Woman, who God shared with us; I will attempt in my way to share my fondest memories with you: Born in the Depression & wartimes of this country, she rose above racial discrimination in the 60's & 70's; intimately involved since my father was of a different race than her; and I, a product of both their love for each other.She became the 1st White Woman to teach in an all-Black environment in Watts California. She broke all boundaries as she became the 1st White Woman to join the Black Panthers Organization - instructing them to demonstrate in peace as Martin Luther King Jr. had admonished all to do. She taught many legendary Singers/Performers one of which was "The Temptations" and greatly accompanied my father in the music industry. She was intelligent beyond recognition: graduated top of her class at St. Rose College, Albany New York, taught the first computer from a manual to her students in the 80's, touched lives of teens in several cities (Schenectady, Rotterdam, Albany, New Paltz & Kingston); I would often tease her stating that she was "my personal Rock-Star Teacher of the Year"!She broke boundaries in the teaching industry: finding ways to open the world of learning to her students who would line up to hear her rap as she turned their instruction manuals into a musical instruments - many will never forget the experience! My Mother along with my Grandparents & my Aunt Mary, were devoted to God: Born Again of Water & Spirit in the early 70's - they introduced the Charismatic way of worship to God in the Roman Catholic Church - They gained permission from the Regional Cardinal to have Charismatic Mass at their Local church: after every service, the Priest would invite anyone to the alter for those who would like special prayer - my fondest memories as a child was to witness firsthand how my family (My Grandparents, My Aunt Mary & My Mother) would lay hands on the sick, anoint them with oil and pray with them in the Name of Jesus!I watched how people's lives were transformed - I was one of those converts - being a troubled teen, they brought new life to me and introduced God in such a real and personal way.This movement proceeded throughout the region, the Scriptures became alive: the eyes of the blind were opened, the lame could walk, the dumb could talk, demons were cast out of those that were bound - the Roman Catholic Church in Up-State NY will never be the same again! When my Mother read the scriptures as a lecture, the words would suddenly come to life!You could see what they meant and understand how it applied to your life and feel uplifted immediately!She never preached formally from anyone's pulpit but the simple reading of scriptures brought life to all that heard. Dedicated to the care of her parents as they aged, I knew my task would be hard ahead of me when both my Grandparents passed over to heaven!My sweet mother hung in there for a while but I saw her decline in the end as she no longer cared to be on this earth without them.The words on this paper will never measure how much my Mother was my hero and I miss her so very much! Mommy - I will see you again one day and hope to join the ranks of this great people that I was born into by the grace of God - but not right now, as I have your legacy to pass to your Grandson, as you have instructed me to do!Rest now from all your labors in the Kingdom of this World & of God - Rest my love and until we meet again watch over your harvest and speak well to the Lord on our behalf - for the harvest is plenty but the labors are few! A funeral service to honor Nancy'slife will be held 7 p.m. Tuesday May 26 at DeMarco-Stone Funeral Home 1605 Helderberg Ave., Rotterdam. A calling hour from 6-7 pm will precede the service. Burial will be next to her parents at Prospect Hill cemetery, Guilderland.