Saratoga Springs, NY - Madeline Hammer, affectionately known as the "Queen of Saratoga" passed away peacefully Thursday, Aug. 25, 2011 at her residence surrounded by her loving family. Born in Williamsport, PA she was the daughter of the late Claude and Madeline (Stahle) DeWitt. She was raised in Brooklyn until she moved to Saratoga Springs in 1961. Madeline worked for the NYS Senate for 38 years as an Administrative Assistant under the leadership of Senate Majority Leaders, Earl Brydges, Warren Anderson, Ralph Marino and Joseph Bruno until her recent retirement. Madeline also served during the administration of five governors, Nelson Rockefeller, Hugh Carey, Mario Cuomo, George Pataki and Elliot Spitzer. She loved horse racing and was a box holder at the Saratoga Race Track for 35 years. Madeline belonged to the Saratoga Hospital Foundation and was a communicant of St. Clement's Church. In addition to her parents she was predeceased by her husbands, William Phillips, Joseph Hammer and William Ryan and two brothers, Kenneth and Claude, and her loving companion, Joseph Diliberto. Survivors include her children, William Phillips, Jr., and Carole Phillips-Ferina both of Long Island, Wolfgang (Leslie) Hammer, Roxanne Hammer Brydges and Theresa Hammer(Robert Pelletier) all of Saratoga Springs; her sister Rose Marie Taylor of Framingham, MA; 13 grandchildren; great grandchildren and several nieces and nephews. Madeline was particularly proud of her Dutch and Swiss heritage and was devoted to her family and spent all of her free time with them. Relatives and friends may call from 4 to 7pm Monday, Aug. 29, 2011 at the William J. Burke & Sons/Bussing & Cunniff Funeral Homes, 628 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs (584-5373). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am Tuesday, Aug. 30, 2011 at St. Clement's Church, 231 Lake Ave. by the Rev. Neil Draves-Arpaia and Patrick Roach. Burial will be private. Donations may be made to the Wright Heart Center, c/o Ellis Medicine Foundation, 1101 Nott St., Schenectady, NY 12308. Online remembrances may be made at www.burkefuneralhome.com.