Greenville Local Obits March 2005

Obituaries from the 
Greenville Local
March 2005


Newspapers courtesy of the Cairo Public Library. Retyped by Maureen Schandert


March 17, 2005 

JUANITA E. ROBERTSON 

HANNACROIX--- Juanita E. Robertson, 91, of Hannacroix, New York died Wednesday, March 9, 2005 at home.  Born November 24, 1913.  Graduated from Ravena High School in 1932 and wrote a class poem for graduation.  She worked at the Landmark Restaurant in Ravena and later worked at the Ammunition factory in North Coeymans during World War II. 

She worked at the Ravena Iron Co. and then at Poes’ Jewelry Store for 9 ½ years.  She worked at Farm Family Insurance Co. in Glenmont for 6 ½ years until her retirement in July 1997.

She is a member of the Coeymans Hollow Trinity Methodist Church and a member of the Leisure Club of Ravena Seniors.  She was a past President of W.S.C.S. of Coeymans Hollow Church and a past President of the Mothers Club of Greenville Central School.  She was also the past secretary of the Dusty Travelers Camping Group for several years, in which she wrote many articles in the News Herald about the camping trips.

She was an avid traveler and enjoyed dancing and camping and being around people.  She formerly belonged to the TRUE BLUE Sunday School Class of the Christian Church in Ravena.  It was quite an active group.   Many people also enjoyed her friendly smile and company over the past few years at the Ravena Barn.

She was predeceased by her husband, Kenneth Robertson, who died in December 1980.  Also she was predeceased by a brother, Robert H. Shutter, a Purple Heart recipient, who was killed in WWII in 1944 in Italy.  She also had three sisters, Alberta Leonard and Alma Ruth Beck of Hannacroix and Bessie R. Shutter of Albany who all predeceased her. 

She was the beloved mother of JoAnn Morse, Karen Robertson and Daniel Deyo and Kenneth R. Robertson and wife, Dorothy, all of Hannacroix, New York.  Also survived by four grandchildren, Colby Boyea, Laura and Lance Robertson of Hannacroix and Gretchen Cummings and her husband, Chad Cummings of Ramona, California.  She was blessed with two great granddaughters, Nadia Boyea and Kenna Cummings and nieces and nephews. 

Funeral services to celebrate her life were conducted on Saturday, March 12 at Trinity United Methodist Church, Coeymans Hollow with Pastor Steven W. Peiffer officiating.  Burial will take place in the spring in Chestnut Lawn Cemetery, New Baltimore.  Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Caswell Funeral Home, Ravena. 

Contributions may be sent to the Senior Projects of Ravena, P.O. Box 142, Ravena, New York 12143 or the Trinity United Methodist Church, P.O. Box 8, Coeymans Hollow, New York 12046.


March 17, 2005

CECILE PARKER

COXSACKIE---Cecile Parker, age 76, formerly of Bethany Village, Coxsackie died in Orlando, Florida after a long illness.  A Massachusetts native, she was currently living with her daughter, Janice Riley Categna, in Orlando.

Surviving relatives in the New York area are Ernest St. Pierre and family of Coeymans Hollow; Kimberly Burns and family of Coxsackie and Divina DeMendoza and family of Albany.  Family and friends will gather Thursday from 7 PM to 9 PM at the W.C. Brady Funeral Home, 97 Mansion Street, Coxsackie.  Funeral services will be Friday at 10 AM.


March 17, 2005

DORTHEA M. THOMPSON

NEW BALTIMORE---Dorthea M. Hallenbeck Thompson, 74, of New Baltimore entered eternal rest Friday, March 11, 2005 at her residence.  Dorthea was born in New York City and has lived in New Baltimore most of her life.  Dorthea and her husband owned and operated Quality Flor in Ravena for many years.

Survivors include her husband, Robert Thompson; daughters Dorthea Mangini and Sandra Crowell; sons Robert (Diane), James (Harvey), Richard (Lorraine), Timothy (Karen), Gregory and Matthew Thompson; sister Elizabeth (Bill) Walton; 19 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

A graveside service was held Monday, March 14 at Elmwood Cemetery, Selkirk.   Contributions to the American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Road, Loudonville, New York 12211 or Community Hospice of Columbia/Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill, New York 12414 would be appreciated.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Babcock Funeral Home, Ravena.


March 17, 2005

LAWRENCE S. MACKEY

Lawrence S. Mackey, 86 years, of Glenmont, New York, passed away on March 3, 2005 at the Good Samaritan Lutheran Health Care Center in Delmar, New York.  He was born on September 29, 1918 in Oneonta, New York, son of the late Sidney J. and Alice (Swart) Mackey.  He served his country in the US Army during WWII.  

Lawrence was service manager and salesman for the Champion Spark Plug Co. until his retirement in 1980.  Upon retirement Mr. Mackey became active in the community in the Town of Bethlehem, being the first volunteer to transport senior citizens; he was a charter member of the Chadwick Square Park Association of which he held many offices as president, vice-president and secretary.  He was a life member of the Albany Elks. 

Lawrence was predeceased by his aunt Pearl Haskins in 2004.

Surviving are his wife Georgiana (Wheeler) Mackey of Delmar, New York and his many friends.

A gathering of friends to celebrate Larry’s life will take place on Sunday, April 3 at one o’clock at the Normanside Country Club.

Arrangements were by the Cunningham Funeral Home, Greenville.


March 17, 2005 

WILLIAM C. (BILL) THEISS 

COBLESKILL---William C. Theiss died unexpectedly on March 7, 2005 at his home in Cobleskill.  

Bill was born in New York City to Henry Joseph and Anna Hartman Theiss on March 2, 1918.  Bill was a graduate of Richmond Hill High School.  Bill served his country as a master Sergeant in WWII from 1941 until 1946.  Upon returning home from the war he immediately married his true love, Eileen H. Frizlen of Woodhaven, New York.  Together they settled on Long Island where Bill work in the printing industry.  In 1966 Bill and Eileen with their three young sons moved to Preston Hollow to operate the local General Store.  In 1973 Bill went to work at Cobleskill College until retirement in 1986.  He and Eileen enjoyed a healthy and happy retirement for 18 years. 

Bill was predeceased by his beloved wife on April 28, 2004.  Bill’s spirit lives on in his three sons, Bill, Mark and Lloyd, their extended families, his sister Ruth Tobin and brothers Danny and Philip, their families as well as many, many friends.  Bill was a donor to Albany Medical College Anatomical Gift Program.  As a result, a memorial service will take place on Saturday, April 2, 2005 at the United Methodist Church at 1 PM with a fellowship luncheon immediately following at the Cobleskill Elks Club on Legion Drive. 

The Theiss Family would like to thank everyone who touched our parents’ lives and who in turn have touched each of ours.  Thank you for your love and support.  In lieu of flowers, those desiring to make a memorial contribution in Bill’s memory may do so to Catskill Area Hospice, 327 W. Main Street #3, Cobleskill, New York 12043.


March 24, 2005

ROBERT G. PECK

Robert G. Peck, 88 years, of Freehold, New York, passed away on March 22, 2005 at the Columbia Memorial Hospital in Hudson, New York.   He was born in Coeymans Hollow, New York on April 2, 1916, son of the late Sydney and Clara (Elmendorf) Peck.  He served his country in the US Army during World War II.

Robert was a bus mechanic for the RCS School District until his retirement in 1983.  He was a member of the Greenville Club, the Cairo Club and Greenville American Legion Post No. 291.  He was a communicant of St. John the Baptist Church. 

Robert was predeceased by two brothers, Lincoln and Donald Peck; and two sisters, Josephine Slingerland and Jeanette Cary.

Surviving are his wife, Regina (Linz) Peck of Freehold, New York; a son, Joseph Powazi and his wife Evelyn of Freehold, New York; two grandchildren, Kristen Powazi and her fiancé Thomas Uhill of Cornwallville, New York and Joseph Powazi of Corwallville, New York; two sisters, Marjorie Carpenter of Greenville, New York and Emma Hunt and her husband Raymond of Selkirk, New York; a sister-in-law, Marion Peck of Glenmont, New York; and several nieces and nephews.

Funeral services will be 9:30 a.m., Thursday, from the Cunningham Funeral Home, 4898 SR 81, Greenville, New York, 12083, with a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church in Greenville, New York.  Friends called at the funeral home on Wednesday, From 3 to 6 p.m.

As to his wishes Robert will be cremated and burial will be in the Chestnut Lawn Cemetery at the convenience of the family.  Those who wish may contribute in Robert’s memory to St. John the Baptist Church.


March 24, 2005

NORMA W. RICHARDSON

Norma Wilsey Richardson, 82, formerly of Coeymans, entered into eternal rest Sunday, March 20, 2005.  Norma was a resident of the Ann Lee Home.  She was the wife of the late Harold F. Richardson and the daughter of the late Norman VanDerZee Wilsey and Hannah Carhart Wilsey.

Norma was a postal clerk at the Coeymans Post Office for many years.  She loved antiques, gardening, knitting, weaving and cooking.

Survivors include her sister, Shirley (Irving) Crocker of Glenmont; and many nieces and nephews.  She was predeceased by her sister, Ethel Bouton; and brothers, James Wilsey and Norman Ronald Wilsey.

All services will be private at the convenience of the family.  Burial will be in Grove Cemetery, Coeymans in the spring. In lieu of flowers donations for the Lord’s work to the Greenville Christian Life Center, PO Box 447, Greenville, NY  12083 would be appreciated.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of the Babcock Funeral Home, Ravena.


March 31, 2005

JOAN WOODS

GARNERVILLE, NY---Joan Woods, formerly of Greenville, passed away on March 26, 2005 at the home of her family in Garnerville, New York.  She was 84.

She was born December 24, 1920 in New York City to John and Helen [Courtney] Doyle. 

Joan married John [Jack] Woods at Annunciation Church in New York City on December 28, 1941.  She worked for many years as a receptionist at the Essex House and Plaza Hotel in New York City.

Joan will be remembered for the miracles she worked with her hands.  Her children and grandchildren have been the recipients of numerous projects that she knitted, sewed and crocheted with meticulous attention to details.  She cherished her family and friends, was a wonderful cook, played the piano, loved to sing and was the most amazing family historian.

Upon retirement Joan and her husband moved upstate to Greenville where they lived for over 25 years.  She was a parishioner at Our Lady of Knock Shrine.

Joan was predeceased by her husband Jack, sisters Helen Prin, Getty Greeley, brother Patrick Doyle and her grandson James Woods in the September 11, 2001 attack on the World Trade Center.

Surviving are two daughters, Barbara Bodnar and her husband James of Garnerville and Nora Naughton and her husband Michael of Delmar; a son, John Woods Jr. and his wife Joyce of Pearl River, New York.  Also surviving are six grandchildren, Lisa Naughton and her husband Kevin, John Bodnar and his wife Valerie, Eileen Staker and her husband Al; Katie, Margaret and Elizabeth Naughton; five great-grandchildren, Liam and Aileen Naughton, Delaney and Andrew Bodnar and Joey Naughton.

A mass of Christian burial was held on Wednesday, March 30 at St. Peter’s Church in Haverstraw, New York from the T.J. McGowan Sons Funeral Home in Garnerville.


March 31, 2005

DOROTHY ANN OTTAVIANO 

Dorothy Ann Ottaviano, 71, of Hannacroix, died Saturday, March 26, 2005 at St. Peter’s Hospital after a brief illness.

Born in the Town of Coeymans, she was a lifelong resident.  Dorothy graduated from Greenville High School.  She worked in the textile industry in Ravena for many years.  Dorothy was a good homemaker and a friend to many.  She was well known for her cooking and backing skills.

Dorothy is survived by a loving and devoted family including her husband, Jerry A. Ottaviano; son, Richard (Pat) Bruno of Ravena; grandson, Richard Bruno and friend Mary Newhart; granddaughter, Darlene (David) Mergendahl; great-grandson, Jonathan Mergendahl; sister, Winifred (Herbert) Hewins of Hannacroix; nieces and nephews Robert, Kenneth and Dennis Beck, Edward Smith, Michael Ottaviano, Evelyn Ketterer, Tony Ottaviano Jr., Rose Marie and Dorothy Ann Ottaviano; grandnieces  and grandnephews; brothers and sister-in-law, Anthony Ottaviano Sr., Phillip (Glenda) Ottaviano.  Dorothy was predeceased by her mother, Nellie Beck; a brother, Joseph Beck; and a nephew, Dale Beck. 

Funeral services were conducted on Wednesday, March 30 at St. Patrick’s Church, Ravena, with Rev. Vincent J. Ciotoli, Pastor, officiating.  Burial followed in St. Patrick’s Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the American Heart Association, 440 New Karner Road, Albany, NY  12205-3890 will be appreciated.

Funeral arrangements were under the direction of Caswell Funeral Home, Ravena.


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