Schenectady – Barbara Jean Nyland (née Martin), 79, passed away peacefully on March 8, 2026, after a long struggle with Alzheimer's Disease.

Barbara was born on September 10, 1946, in Schenectady, New York, the fourth daughter of the late Justin and Minerva Martin. She graduated from Linton High School in 1963 and then earned her bachelor's degree in social work from Buffalo State College. While in Buffalo, she met her future husband, John, at "The Showboat", a floating restaurant and bar on Lake Erie, where John was a bartender and Barbara was a cocktail waitress. They married in 1972 and had their first child, Justin, after which they moved to Schenectady.

John and Barbara then welcomed two daughters, Amy and Margaret ("Maggie"). Barbara was a devoted mother, filling her days accompanying her three children to various activities including swimming, basketball, baseball, lacrosse, softball, art classes, music lessons, and dance classes. She also worked part-time as a social worker and then co-owned and operated a dance supply store, The Nutcracker Suite, on Upper Union Street in Schenectady from 1994 to 2007.

In addition to raising her children, she enjoyed traveling, making dinner reservations, playing bridge and volunteering at her church, St. John the Evangelist in Schenectady, where she ran the nursery program for young children for several years and served as the President of the Rosary Society. She treasured spending time with her grandchildren and took a very active role in helping to raise her two oldest grandsons.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her beloved husband, John, in 2009, as well as her siblings, Patricia ("Pat") Rabbe, Margaret ("Peggy") Donohue, and John P. Martin. Survivors include her son, Justin (Kristi) Nyland of Apex, North Carolina; her daughter, Amy Stone (Vincent Misetich) of Guilderland; her daughter, Maggie Wood (Alfred Burgazoli) of Delmar; and her sister, Mary (David) Nowak of Schenectady. She is also survived by her six cherished grandchildren, Carys and Isabella Nyland, Jackson and Dylan Stone, and John and Jacqueline Wood, as well as many loved nieces and nephews. The family also thanks her devoted, life-long best friend, Phyllis (Robert) Decker, of Ballston Lake, for everything she has done over the years to support Barbara.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend the Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 12 noon at St. John the Evangelist Church, 810 Union Street, Schenectady. Calling hours will be on Wednesday, March 18, from 5 until 8 p.m. at the Gleason Funeral Home.

Amy and Maggie thank the staff at the Eddy Village Green at Beverwyck in Slingerlands for their exceptional care of Barbara and their support for the extended family in Barbara's final days. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the St. John the Evangelist Church Restoration Fund, 806 Union Street, Schenectady, New York 12308, or Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Rd.
Albany, NY 12205. Condolence messages may be left at www.gleasonfuneralhomeinc. com.