Amy M. Pine

Amy M. Pine, 41, of Auburn passed away on Wednesday, February 19, 2025. She was surrounded by her loving and devoted family who walked beside her every step of this journey. 

Amy was born July 12, 1983, in New Hartford, New York, the daughter of proud parents Carey and Suzanne Fortnam. She was the middle of three children; an older brother, Carey, and younger sister, Christine.

Amy’s parents showed her unconditional love throughout her life. They guided and supported her, taught her the value of hard work, and demonstrated that when you fall, you get up. They instilled in her strong faith that helped her tremendously through difficult times. She considered her brother, Carey, to be a fierce guardian and advocate who was by her side from the day she was born through her recent journey, never letting her lose focus on her inner strength. Her sister, Christine, was her most loyal and loving best friend. Amy loved hearing people say how much they resembled each other. Christine, affectionately known as “Teenie,” and Amy made decisions in sync. Amy cherished their upbringing and the fond memories they shared, which she relied on throughout her life. Both Christine and Amy looked back on those memories with a lot of love and a whole lot of belly laughter—especially as of late. She absolutely adored her family and lived for the moments they spent together. 

Amy met her husband of over 15 years, Ryan W. Pine, during their freshman year at Siena College and oh what a time they shared. They married on August 15, 2009, after what some joked was an exceedingly long courtship. Their wedding was celebrated on the front lawn of the Springside Inn on a beautiful (and record hot) evening that is still heartily looked back upon by many who will read this. Ryan and Amy's love spanned decades and was full of laughter. They were friends who tried not to take everything in life so seriously and lived for one another. Their family, which started with the birth of their first daughter, Hadley Addison in 2012, followed by Ryan Winfield, Jr. in 2014, Emerson Marie in 2016, and Siena Margaret in 2020, will always be their greatest accomplishment together. 

Amy was a 2001 graduate of Whitesboro Senior High School. She went on to earn a bachelor’s degree in biology from Siena College, graduating in 2005. She pursued her love of medicine at LeMoyne College where she obtained a master’s degree in physician assistant studies in 2008. She began her career as a physician’s assistant at St. Joseph's Hospital Health Center in Syracuse. Eventually, she settled into a similar role as a PA at Auburn Internal Medicine & Pediatrics. It is there where she truly felt her healing presence established in the community, and she greatly cherished the bonds she created with patients and families in that role. Following her time at Auburn Internal Medicine and Pediatrics, she spent a few years working in the field of dermatology at Reflections Dermatology & Psoriasis Center, also in Auburn. 

As consummate a professional and valued practitioner in the Auburn medical community as she was, Amy was a force of nature as a mom. If you knew Amy, you knew that she was usually going a mile a minute raising her babies. She felt lucky to work part-time and also stay at home for portions of her career to be with her family, something she and Ryan valued immensely. She adored her time with her children and enjoyed the ordinary in it. She loved staying in, watching the kids play in the yard, swimming, movies in bed, attending the children’s sporting events, volunteering at school, and planning elaborate birthday parties. The carpools never got old, nor did the countless events. She lived for the small moments that filled her heart. Her children are her most prized legacy.

When she was not spending time with her kids, Amy enjoyed gardening and landscaping in recent years. She loved to decorate in and around her house and make people feel at home when they visited. She and Ryan liked to entertain. She also found peace in Florida and at the ocean. Vacations to Long Beach Island, N.J., with her extended family left permanent impressions on her heart. She liked to run, enjoyed reading, and had a special love for the family dog, Boomer. 

Amy loved her friends and had many. She enjoyed laughing and corralling others to dance and sing. She had an absolute passion for music, often sounding off the exact lyrics to songs from all eras and genres, but she especially loved country music. If you never caught her on the dance floor, you missed out. She visited Nashville a few times and swore it should have been her birthplace. Amy had a genuine bond with dear friends Tracy and Josh Murphy, with whom she and Ryan laughed through life with. Both families were raising their boys, RyRy and Henry (also best friends), alongside each other. Amy and Tracy were a dynamic duo, never missing a chance to pull off a themed golf night, plan a party or trip, or find a way to prove their male counterparts wrong. Tracy was Amy’s greatest confidant. Michaela LaGrow, who started as a babysitter helping Amy through some of the busiest of times, became a true friend and ended up more like a sister as well. Amy had many other dear friends—old and new—and she hopes you know who you are and hold your relationship deeply in your heart, just as she did. 

Amy is survived by her husband Ryan, the devoted love of her life, as well as their four beautiful children: Hadley, Ryan Jr., Emerson, and Siena. They brought her pure joy every single day and she felt tremendously blessed to be their wife and mother. She was so proud of how Ryan and the kids demonstrated strength throughout this difficult journey and is certain they will make her proud in carrying on. In addition, Amy is survived by her parents Carey and MaryBeth Fortnam of Oriskany; Suzanne Fortnam of Marcy; brother Carey Fortnam and wife, Nina, their two daughters, Amy’s nieces, Ava and Alexis, all of Boca Raton, Florida. Nina was a second sister Amy was beyond grateful to have, teaching her so much about parenting, and serving as a constant source of love, support, and true friendship. Amy was extremely proud of Ava and Alexis and will continue to watch them dominate the lacrosse fields from above. She is also survived by her sister, Christine Mondi and husband, Pete, of Utica. Christine was especially skilled at making Amy laugh even when she wanted to cry, which was always the best medicine. At the time of her passing, Amy was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her niece, Christine and Pete’s first daughter. She was at peace knowing that her sister was ready for motherhood but really hoped to be here to walk alongside her in the new role as a mom. She will forever watch over her beloved niece. Amy is also survived by her in-laws, Robert and Kim Pine of Auburn; Jameson Pine of Brooklyn; Chelsea and Ryan Gleason and their 3 children Jack, Lola, and Beau, of Irondequoit; Taylor and Alex Montague and son Theodore, of Webster. Amy felt extremely blessed to have this second family. She was lovingly welcomed into the Pine clan the day Ryan introduced her to his family. She loved each one of them very much and was grateful for the years of memories, which were never short on laughter or love. She especially enjoyed watching her nieces and nephews grow in closeness with her and Ryan’s children. In addition to her immediate family, Amy loved and was loved by several aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Amy is predeceased by her paternal grandparents, Walter and Ruth Fortnam of Oriskany; maternal grandparents, William and Claudia Hulser of Clinton; uncles David and Allen Fortnam, both of Oriskany. She was comforted to know that she would be reunited with her guardian angels. 

Our family wants to especially thank those who demonstrated kindness, love, support, and expressions of faith on this journey. Whether you were a dear friend, acquaintance, or perhaps a stranger, we thank you! In addition, it is Amy's hope that you realize that, although her life was all too short, it was still beautiful. She asked that you continue to support her family as they begin life without her physically here. Please take each chance you get to smile brightly at the children when you see them, share a story or memory you have of her, or some way she touched your life. This will help lift them up and continue her story.

It was clear that Amy had a profound impact on the Auburn and surrounding communities. The allies affectionately known as “Amy’s Army” showed from the start of Amy’s diagnosis that no one fights alone. Amy was adopted into this town and was unmistakably embraced in such meaningful ways. Thank you!

Lastly, we wish to thank Amy’s medical team, which was robust and full of talent. Dr. Nour Abuhadra, Breast Medical Oncologist at Memorial Sloan Kettering (MSK) in Manhattan, who Amy felt a special sisterly bond with. Nour loved, supported, and did truly everything she had in her “tool belt” to save Amy. Dr. Amy Xu, Radiation Oncologist, also of MSK was an expert in her field and was particularly compassionate. Dr. Xu and Dr. Abuhadra were both proud members of Amy’s Army. Dr. Brian Yirinec, Medical Oncologist at Pluta Cancer Center in Rochester, managed Amy’s local care, often calling her after hours to check in and show his concern. He encouraged Amy to LIVE through her treatment. Dr. Anna Weiss and her remarkable team for her surgical expertise; Michelle Miller, NP, and Barbie, RN, also of Pluta, never gave up hope; the infusion staff at Pluta who helped Amy through some of the hardest days with their deep demonstration of compassion; Carle Boseman, LCSW-R of the University of Rochester; and a tremendous note of gratitude to Adina Heckelman, LMSW also of Pluta. Amy deeply valued the time you spent with her and your impact was beyond what you know. Kelley Qualters, CRNP, of MSK, supported our family at the end of Amy’s journey, walking her through some very tough decisions. The staff on East 5 at Highland Hospital for your compassionate and utmost quality care. You are angels! Lastly, but certainly not least, Dr. Joseph Graney, for his care, support, and friendship. Thank you to each and every one of you. Your work is a great challenge but being named here means you have done it with extensive kindness and love in your heart, touching Amy’s life. 

Calling hours will be held at St. Alphonsus Church, 85 East Genesee St., Auburn, NY on Thursday, February 27 from 11am to 3pm.  A Mass of Christian Burial  will be held on Saturday, March 1 at 11am at St. Alphonsus Church. A private family burial will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery following the funeral. If you wish, please visit www.Langhamfuneralhomellc.com to leave a condolence for her family.   

Flowers are appreciated but not necessary. Amy did love them, however, if you wish to consider a donation in Amy’s honor, in lieu of flowers, she would like to see that go to a rare breast cancer organization, specifically for research into metaplastic TNBC, which does not get the attention it deserves.  Donations may be made to the Metaplastic Breast Cancer Alliance, https://www.mpbcalliance.org. It was Amy’s hope that one day a world without all cancer will exist. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Amy M. Pine, please visit our floral store.