COLONIE -

Dr. Salma Regina Sawabini Assemany, 90, of Colonie, passed away on March 4, 2026. Salma was born on May 18, 1935, to Hassib Assemany and Carlota Sawabini in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. The oldest of five children, she graduated from Colegio Nossa Senhora das Merces founded by Ursuline nuns. She received her medical degree in 1958, from the Escola Bahiana de Medicina e Saude Publica (EBMSP) in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. For nearly a decade she was a practicing pediatrician at Martagao Gesteira Children’s Hospital.

In the late 1960s she accepted a research fellowship to work at SUNY Upstate Medical Center with the Genetic and Endocrine Unit, located Syracuse, NY. She co-authored research on Phocomelia with Mandibular Hypoplasia, XXXY Syndrome in male infants documenting physical and cardiac abnormalities and the Syndrome of Phocomelic Diabetic Embryopathy (Caudal Dysplasia).

In December 1970, she gave birth to her only child and chose to become a stay-at-home mother, residing in Manlius, NY. In the 1980s, Salma returned to work in medical records and then ultimately worked for the Macy's Department store for almost 25 years prior to her retirement. She loved music, fashion, dancing, traveling, shopping and the New York Yankees.

In 2012, she relocated to Albany, NY to be near her daughter and son-in-law. For the next 14 years she endured the slow decline associated with Alzheimer's disease. She resided at both Peregrine and Shaker Place Nursing and Rehabilitation from 2018 until the present. Her family would like to thank the staff at both locations for their care and support during this long journey.

Salma was predeceased by her parents and all of her siblings: Ana Maria Assemany Borges, Faez Augusto Assemany, Feliciana Assemany Peixoto dos Santos, and Carlos Assemany. In addition, she was predeceased by her companions: Dr. Lytt I. Gardner and Quentin J. Porter and son-in-law, Nathan Lebron. She is survived by her daughter, Charlotte Lebron (Motoki Hikita), her sisters-in-laws: Elza Azevedo and Mamara Quintas Assemany, cousins and several nieces, nephews, great nieces and great nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to attend a service of Remembrance on Saturday, March 28, 2026 in the Hans Funeral Home, 1088 Western Avenue, Albany, NY 12203. Calling hours will be held from 5pm until 7pm followed by a Catholic Service and Celebration of Life at 7pm.

In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation in her memory to the Zonta Club of Albany, Post Office Box 5122 Albany, NY 12205.

Arrangements have been entrusted to: Simple Choices, Inc., Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared with the family, online at: SimpleChoicesCremation.com