Shirley Yacone, 80, nurse, volunteer
HUDSON—Shirley Ann Morrison Yacone, 80, of Hudson died Thursday October 6, 2011 at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
She was born July 10, 1931 to the late James and Amelia (Zelmer) Morrison.
Mrs. Yacone was a graduate of Hudson High School and St. Peter’s Hospital School of Nursing. She worked as a nurse at the Albany Veterans Administration Medical Center, New Rochelle Hospital Medical Center and Iona Preparatory High School, and retired in 1991.
She was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church of Hudson, a volunteer for Girl Scouts of America, a member of numerous PTAs, a volunteer for the Columbia Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and a member of the Fortnightly Club.
Survivors include her beloved husband and best friend, Enrico “Rick” Yacone, whom she married August 18, 1956; son, Jim (Becky) Yacone of Centennial, CO; daughters, Ann Yacone DiAgostino (Thomas) of Milford, PA, Jill Yacone Hopper of Alexandria, VA, Lori Yacone of Centennial, CO, and Lynn Yacone Martin (Gary) of Moraga, CA; sister, Jeanne (Everett) Miller of Claverack; as well as, 12 wonderful grandchildren.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated Saturday, October 8, 2011 at St. Mary’s Church, 429 East Allen Street, Hudson, with Father Winston Bath officiating. In the future, she will be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery, VA.
In lieu of flowers send donations to the Hudson Food Bank: www.foodbankofhudsonvalley.org/index.php/pages/donate/33 or to the Church of St. Mary of Hudson (Holy Trinity Parish): www.holytrinityhudson.org
Arrangements were with the McDonald-Valenti-Richards Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport.
Maeve McDonald, 26, brave heart, artist
ALBANY—Maeve “Eve” Rowan McDonald, 26, of Dripping Springs, TX and most recently, Germantown, died peacefully October 3 at St. Peter’s Hospital, due to a systemic infection.
She is survived by her mother, Annie McDonald and her father, Phillip McDonald, as well as, her aunts, uncles, cousins and the many friends that she touched so deeply throughout her life.
Ms. McDonald was a unique soul with a brave heart and a will to live that saw her through the many challenges that life presented to her. Diagnosed with Sclerosing Cholangitis as a toddler, she grew up in a world of hospitals until she underwent a liver transplant at the age of 14. After the transplant, she went on to get a degree in broadcasting but her health prevented her from ever working in that field.
Always a fighter, Ms. McDonald went on to become a minister of the Seminary of the Beloved Community of St. John, and most recently, a Reiki master. She was a talented artist, a lover of all animals and a die-hard Yankees and Green Bay Packers fan.
She dreamed of traveling the world in a sailboat and is no doubt doing just that, surrounded by the spirits of her family, who guided her to the other side. Her sweet, kind heart and courageous fire will be missed but never forgotten; she will always be there to meet us in the beauty of the morning star.
Garth Pitsker, 85, organist, concert pianist
HUDSON—Garth Barton Pitsker, 85, passed away unexpectedly at his home in Hudson, Thursday evening, September 29, 2011.
He was born November 30, 1925 and raised in White Plains, the third son of John Raynold Pitsker and Virginia Alethea Pitsker nee Miller.
He began playing the piano at age 10 and took up playing the organ for his church when he was 12.
Following graduation from White Plains High School and one year at Columbia University, Mr. Pitsker was drafted into the Marines in February 1944 and was ultimately stationed at Quantico, as music director in the Chaplains Corps. Following his discharge in July 1946 with the rank of corporal he enrolled at Peabody Institute of Baltimore, MD, from which he received his first degree in 1950, and stayed on to receive a second degree in 1952.
Mr. Pitsker was a professional organist and concert pianist for many years before becoming a data processing expert specializing in accounting systems. He lived in New York City until his retirement in 1991. He then moved to Delhi, in upstate New York, where he bought a small house and rented rooms to college students. In March 2000, at the urgings of friends, he moved to Hudson, becoming involved with musical community and was organist at First Reformed Church, later becoming an active and well-loved member of Christ Church Episcopal.
He never married, but had a wide and devoted circle of friends and family. He was passionate about music, devoted to theater and appreciative of good food. He enjoyed travel and spent considerable time in Europe as a musician.
Mr. Pitsker is survived by: his brothers, John Raynold “Ray” Pitsker, Jr. of Evergreen, CO, Robert “Bob” Pitsker (Susie) of Conifer, CO, Peter “Pete” Pitsker (Polly) of Gardnerville, NV and William “Bill” Pitsker of Petaluma, CA; his sister, Marilyn Shreve of Wellington, NV; as well as numerous nephews and nieces. He was pre-deceased by his parents and his brother Cooper Knight Pitsker.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 a.m., Saturday, October 15, 2011 at Christ Church Episcopal, 431 Union Street, Hudson.