Hope Prior (1922 – 2012)

GHENT—Hope Catherine Prior, 90, a longtime resident of Ghent died Monday, May 21 at Whittier Nursing Home.

Born March 3, 1922 in Ogdensburg, she was the daughter of the late Ira and Helen (Darrow) Kring.

She graduated from Hudson High School and the Mildred Elley School.

In 1945, she married Francis Prior, who died in 2000.

She lived in the Chatham/East Chatham area before moving to Ghent in 1953. Mrs. Prior was a bookkeeper for the Kring Nursing Home in Hudson for many years. She was a charter member of the ladies auxiliary of Ghent VFW Post # 5933, a charter and life member of the Ghent Volunteer Fire Department ladies auxiliary and a member of the Ghent Reformed Church. She enjoyed camping and will be missed by her friends at the Payn Home. Mrs. Prior is survived by: three sons, David F. Prior of Ghent, Christopher of Chatham, Daniel of Old Chatham; brothers, Ralph Kring of Ghent and James Kring of Hernandez, FL; a sister, Elaine Katt of Kiskatom; six grandchildren and three great grandchildren.

Funeral services will be held Friday, May 25, 10 a.m. from the Wenk Funeral Home, Chatham, with the Reverend Nancy McClure-Long, pastor of Ghent Reformed Church, officiating.

Interment will follow in the Ghent Union Cemetery. Relatives and friends are invited to call at the funeral home, Thursday, May 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. Memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, 440 New Karner Road, Albany 12205. For online condolences visit wenkfuneralhome.com.

Dorothy Johnson (1932 – 2012)

CHATHAM—Dorothy Marie Johnson, 79, of Chatham Manor Apartments, died Monday, May 21, 2012 at her home after battling a long illness with cancer.

Born September 4, 1932 in Albany, she as the daughter of the late Stephen and Louise (McCoy) Bartlett.

Mrs. Johnson was a homemaker and worked as a waitress for the Northeast Restaurant in Schodack and as a cashier for Price Chopper in East Greenbush.

She is survived by: four children, Robert L. Johnson, Jr., (Marguerite) of Williamsburg, VA, Sharon L. Johnson of Castleton, Stephen M. Johnson (Sheri Williams) of Albuquerque, NM, and Michael W. Johnson (Kim) of Kinderhook; several grandchildren; nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her sister and brother-in-law, Bernice and Donald VanVliet.

Funeral services will be held noon Friday, May 25 at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, Inc., Valatie, with the Reverend Stark Jones officiating.  Burial will follow in Woodlawn Cemetery, Niverville. There will be a calling hour on Friday from 11 a.m. to noon prior to the funeral.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to The Community Hospice of Columbia/Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414. The family expresses its sincere gratitude to the Community Hospice of Columbia/Greene and especially Marjorie Schoonover, Marita Delaney and Dr. John Pomichter.

Elizabeth Cesternino (1928 – 2012)

GHENT—Elizabeth Cesternino, 84, of Ghent, passed away Tuesday, May 22, 2012 at her home, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born May 9, 1928 in Livingston, to the late Milton and Lillian (Plass) Coons.

Mrs. Cesternino was a dedicated registered nurse for more than 40 years at Columbia Memorial Hospital and lived all of her life in this area.

She is survived by: her beloved husband, Joseph Cesternino of Ghent; her devoted sons, Gary Cesternino and his wife Deborah, and Joseph Cesternino and his wife Andrea, all of Ghent, and her loving sister and best friend, Marilyn Ewasick of Hudson. Also survivng are several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Services are private and at the convenience of the family.

Memorial donations may be made to Community Hospice of Columbia- Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414.

To leave a message for the family go to www.batesanderson.com.