Obituary of Audrey Ina Baldini

Audrey Ina (Stoner) Baldini, age 88, died Monday, December 26, 2016 at Community General Hospital at Upstate in Syracuse, NY. Mrs. Baldini was born March 26, 1928 in Paterson, NJ, the daughter of the late John Willard and the late Marion (Young) Stoner, Sr. She lived in Syracuse, NY since 1990 and was formerly of Newark, DE and New Providence, NJ. She also lived in Luzern, Switzerland and loved traveling all over Europe for six years with her son Jay and husband, while he was the Director of Professional Services for Schering Plough International. As a proud graduate of Barnard College at Columbia in NY City with a BS degree in Chemistry, she was employed by Colgate-Palmolive Technology Center in Piscataway, NJ, before having children and becoming a full time homemaker and mom. Audrey was an avid bridge player, enjoyed playing classical music on the piano and loved to listen to her beloved New York Yankees on the radio. She was totally dedicated to her children and their well-being. Her son Jay, who was Down Syndrome, lived with her all of his life until his death earlier this year, shortly after his 60th birthday. In fact, Audrey and her husband were very involved in ARC and advocates for all Down Syndrome families wherever they were. Audrey was a fantastic cook who regularly prepared family meals and holiday feasts. Her children were particularly fond of her pies and Christmas cookies, which remain family traditions. Audrey was an excellent knitter, and she frequently knit sweaters and blankets for all of her family. She even knit a one of a kind Christmas stocking for each of her children (that they still use to this day). She closely watched her stock market investments and loved to analyze companies and predict their future performance. She was the consummate mother; always nurturing, loving and educating. She is survived by her sister-in-law Doris M. Stoner of Bedminster, NJ, her two daughters: Pamela Baldini-Dittmann and her husband John Dittmann Jr. of Syracuse, NY and Sandra Baldini Brinigar of San Diego, CA, one son: Jack Baldini, Esq. and his wife Joanne Baldini of Hackettstown, NJ, grandchildren: Douglas and Pamela Petroff, Amber and Ryan Brinigar, Danielle and Rob Pieklo and great-grandchildren, Emily and RJ Pieklo. She was predeceased by her husband, Dr. James T. Baldini, Jr., her brother, Lt., Retired John W. Stoner, Jr. and her son, "Jay" James T. Baldini III. Friends are welcome to celebrate her life at the funeral service on Tuesday, January 3, 2017 at 12:00 noon at the funeral home. Visiting hours from 10:30 am until 12:00 noon on Tuesday. Interment will follow in Laurel Grove Cemetery, Totowa, NJ. The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to The Memorial Fund of Jay Baldini, c/o Baldini Law, 37 Bowers Drive, Hackettstown, New Jersey 07840, in memory of Audrey's son Jay. The fund was established earlier this year at the time of Jay's death to assist deserving Down Syndrome children achieve at a higher education learning center, something Audrey was particularly devoted to.