Heart attack killed older driver in Schenectady

PHOTOGRAPHER: Michael Goot

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A heart attack caused the death of a woman whose car slid into the Mohawk River on Saturday evening.

Mary B. Conroy, 84, of Waterford was driving in the area of North Ferry Street at about 8 p.m. when she called 911 to report that she needed help. However, the line went dead before the dispatcher could obtain details. The call did last long enough for police to track the caller’s location.

Her husband, Marty Conroy, said by telephone Sunday that his wife had a medical issue.

“She had a heart attack in the car as she was driving along and she lost control of it,” he said.

Two officers were dispatched to try to find the woman and found her car on rocks on the edge of the water. As officers approached, the car rolled into the water, according to police.

Schenectady and Niskayuna firefighters, Schenectady police and Mohawk Ambulance assisted in the search. At about 10 p.m., Conroy’s body was pulled from the river.

Police on Sunday had no further details about the accident. It was not known why Mary Conroy was in Schenectady.

His wife’s heart gave out before she was able to complete the call, according to Conroy. He said he was doing the best he could under the circumstances. “We just have to carry on.”

The couple had seven children between them. “She was quite a nice person. She got along well with people,” he said.

Funeral arrangements are pending. A service will be held at St. Mary of the Assumption Church.