Obituary of Amy Purdy Godleski

Amy Purdy Godleski, 46, of Vestal, NY, passed peacefully at Mercy House on March 19, after a long and courageous battle with triple negative breast cancer. Amy was surrounded by her loving family, including James Godleski, her husband of twenty years. Amy was born and raised in Syracuse, NY. Growing up, Amy enjoyed many activities, including soccer, singing and dancing. She graduated from West Genesee High School and SUNY Oswego with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting. Amy was a CPA and began her career at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) where she developed many life-long friendships. Amy held senior positions at PwC and went on to become a partner at The Bonadio Group. She earned an expert reputation in the insurance industry and ultimately left public accounting to join Columbian Financial Group, one of Binghamton's larger financial institutions, as Chief Financial Officer. Though Amy's experience was in public accounting, she seamlessly stepped into her management and leadership role as CFO of Columbian. For ten years, Amy was a respected member of the company's senior management team and an integral part of their success. In addition to her business acumen and unassailable integrity, Amy was dedicated to her staff and all of her peers. Her obvious strength as a leader was always enhanced by her compassion, and she contributed to creating a culture that made people want to come to work each day. She was a true servant leader who earned the respect and admiration of all who had the privilege of working with her. Amy was a strong, smart, independent woman who made all around her feel valued and appreciated. Her kind, gentle, compassionate heart always listened and never judged, and her quiet, dry, wonderful sense of humor added to the joy of being around her. Amy cherished her time with her family, especially on vacations to Disney, Oregon, and the beach. She truly treasured the life she had with her children. When anyone spent time with Amy, it didn't take long to recognize how extremely proud she was of Matthew, Colleen and Jack. Amy's Irish heritage was very important to her, and she rarely missed an opportunity to celebrate her lineage, especially on St. Patrick's Day and at the annual parades. "Parade Day" started at Coleman's, a place very special to her and her parents; it's where her parents met and where she met her husband. Amy also loved the holiday season and relished the time she spent each year making homemade Christmas cookies and chocolates with her dear friend Stacey Dupee for all family and friends to enjoy. Amy was committed to her community and improving lives wherever she could. She was active with Meals on Wheels, Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, United Way of Broome County, Our Lady of Sorrows Church Food Pantry, and Vestal Dollars for Scholars. Amy lived her faith, and she was led by her conscience to help others. Amy was predeceased by her paternal grandparents Thomas Purdy and Gertrude Sutton Purdy, step-grandmother Dorothy Purdy, maternal grandparents Dr. "Doc" Pierce Dalton and Catherine Jane Richards, father-in-law John Godleski and mothers-in-law Mary Godleski and Elizabeth Poda Godleski. She is survived by her parents Harry and Eileen Purdy, loving husband James Godleski, step-son Matthew Godleski, daughter Colleen Godleski, son Jack Godleski, brothers Shawn Purdy, Ted Purdy (Jo Rodgers), and Pat Purdy (Margaret Chajka), brothers-in-law Mark Godleski (Kasha), Chris Godleski (Angel), and nieces and nephews Mary Grace Godleski, Michael Godleski, Sara Godleski, Kora Purdy, Eli Purdy, Lena Purdy, Emmy Purdy and Lucy Purdy. Amy leaves behind many aunts and uncles, including Kim and Kathleen Ranieri and Frank and Dot Purdy, as well as Paul and Maryclair Grace, with whom she enjoyed many Godleski Family gatherings. Amy is also survived by many cousins who cared for her during her challenging times. The family would like to thank Dr. Ronald Harris, Debbie Schaffer and all of the nurses and staff at Broome Oncology as well as Dr. Alan DeMaine and all of the nurses and staff at Lourdes Hospice for their kindness and compassion. The family would also like to extend its heartfelt gratitude to all of the volunteers and staff at Mercy House for providing Amy with so much peace, comfort and love. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Amy's memory to Mercy House of the Southern Tier or Making Strides Against Breast Cancer. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, March 25, at 10:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Sorrows Church in Vestal. Entombment will be at Calvary Cemetery in Johnson City immediately following Mass. The family will receive friends on Friday, March 24, from 3 to 6 p.m. at Coleman and Daniels, 765 Main St. in Vestal.