Patricia D. Albano, 67, day-care center founder

Patricia DePadua Albano, 67, of Shamong, who established the former Indian Mills Preschool and Childcare Center in 1982 and directed it until 1997, died of syringomyelia, a paralyzing condition, on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at her home.

Born in Paterson, N.J., Mrs. Albano graduated from Passaic Valley High School and earned a bachelor's degree in elementary education at what is now Rowan University.

She later studied toward a master's in childhood education there, but "her disease stopped her; the disease was taking a toll on her," her husband, William, said.

Syringomyelia manifested itself as a weakness in the legs after a tumor was removed from her upper spine in 1975, he said, "but doctors had a problem diagnosing it; they thought it was multiple sclerosis."

Before the condition struck, Mrs. Albano had taught kindergarten classes in Montclair, N.J., in the mid-1960s and in Oaklyn from the late 1960s to the mid-1970s, and then after her operation.

But by the 1980s, she had given up teaching to open the day care firm, for children from preschool years through fourth or fifth grade, her husband said.

"In the good years," he said, "there were between 30 and 40 kids at a time."

The center, he said, "was a lifelong dream of hers. She loved kids."

"She always wanted to do it. And she did it."

But her weakening condition forced her to sell the center in 1997.

"One foot would drag. Eventually, she was making falls," he said. In 2000, "she fell, broke an arm."

Still, he said, "she fought it and fought it."

Besides her husband of 45 years, Mrs. Albano is survived by sons William C. and Christopher, and a granddaughter.

Viewings were set from 6 to 8 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 24, and 9 to 10 a.m. Monday, Aug. 25, both at the Bradley Funeral Home, Route 73 and Evesham Road, Marlton, before an 11 a.m. Funeral Mass at Holy Eucharist Church, 520 Medford Lakes Rd., Tabernacle, with interment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Totowa, N.J.

Donations may be sent to the Chiari and Syringomyelia Foundation at http://csfinfo/org.

Condolences may be offered to the family at www.bradleyfuneralhome-marlton.com.