Dorothy Giurdanella (1914 – 2016)
BOLIVIA, NC—Dorothy Margaret (Strahle) Giurdanella, born May 10, 1914, in Chicago, IL, died August 12, 2016 at the Lower Cape Fear Hospice Center.
She was the daughter of Carl Strahle and Eleanor (Osler) Strahle, of Richmond Hill. Her parents instilled a love of travel in her from an early age.
Mrs. Giurdanella is survived by: her son, Arthur Albrecht of Chatham and St. John, USVI; her daughter and son-in-law, Elna and Ernest Rilke of Leland, NC; two granddaughters and their husbands, Karen E. Rilke and Roger B. Dubbs, III, of Seattle, WA, and Christina E. Rilke and Jorge A. Ramirez of Mendham, NJ; and three great-grandchildren, Gideon, Wilhelmina and Jude Ramirez.
She was predeceased by husbands, Arthur Albrecht of Richmond Hill; Ray J. Stanley of Rupert, ID; and Anthony A. Giurdanella of Chatham.
Mrs. Giurdanella had a long career as both a legal secretary and insurance broker. But the job she loved most was as a secretary at The Continental, the mecca for imported duty-free goods in Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI, in the mid-1960s when her husband, Anthony was operations manager for Chase Manhattan in the Virgin Islands. During her tenure at The Continental she availed herself of the employee discount with unbridled enthusiasm. Her purchases all enhanced her superb talents as cook, baker and hostess. Buffets at their home for 30 to 40 guests delighted her. Other passions were languages—she spoke German, English, Spanish and Italian. She was a voracious reader and master knitter. She once said she’d rather knit than eat. She did oil painting, rug hooking, tatting, embroidery and ceramics. But her greatest love was travel, eager to pack at the mere suggestion of a trip. She traveled the world and documented every day of her adventures in her journals.
A generous and caring friend, she sustained close relationships with friends from early childhood, as well as with those who came to know her in her last years. The great sadness of her 102 years was outliving all but those newest friends.
In her day, Mrs. Giurdanella was always on the go, embracing membership and/or leadership roles in many clubs and committees, like the New York State Women’s Club, The Audubon Society, The Sweet Adelines, and the Tower Club of St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church in Spencertown. In younger years she had pairs of collies, in later years, Shelties, and always a cat or two….plus a flock of Rhode Island Red’s and a super or two of honey bees. Her happiest years were those spent traveling afar or puttering around her property in Spencertown, Columbia County, and there her family will scatter her ashes.
Anyone wishing to support causes dear to her is directed to either Paws Place (a no-kill canine rescue) that she especially loved, 3701 East Boiling Springs Road, NC 28479 or to the outstanding work of Lower Cape Fear Hospice’s Life Care Centers, 1414 Physicians Drive, Wilmington, NC 28401.
Arrangements were with the Andrews Mortuary and Crematory, Wilmington, NC.
Bonnie Calkins (1951 – 2016)
VALATIE—Bonnie J. Calkins, 64, of Valatie died Wednesday, August 17, 2016 at Barnwell Health Facilities.
Born September 9, 1951 in Hudson, she was the daughter of the late John and Bertha (McMann) Kowalski.
Mrs. Calkins worked at Barnwell Health Facilities in Valatie and was a homemaker.
She is survived by: one daughter, Noreen Felpel of Ghent; two sons, John Calkins of Hudson and Wayne Calkins of Stuyvesant; three sisters, Shirley Martin of Stockport, Mary Jane June of Kinderhook and Darlene June of Hudson; four grandchildren, Steven, Casey, Shay and Lauren.
She was predeceased by her husband, Kenneth Donald Calkins.
A calling hour was held Friday, August 19 at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie. Burial followed at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Stuyvesant Falls.
Laverne A. Post (1949 – 2016)
EAST GREENBUSH—Laverne A. Post, 66, of Valatie died Tuesday, August 16, 2016 at Evergreen Commons.
Born October 27, 1949 in Jamestown, he was the son of Omer Post, who resides in Randolph, and the late Alice (Kelly) Post Cranston.
Mr. Post was a U.S. Marine veteran and a truck driver for 50 years, three of them with Gorman in Albany. He was a 40-year member of the Dunkirk Moose Lodge #89.
He is survived by: his wife, June (Hemenger) Post; a stepdaughter, Katharine Bixby (Tom) of Fredonia; three sisters, Dineen Bensen (Jim), Eileen Love (Roy) and Maureen Makula; two brothers, Lowell Post and Lynn (Marcia) Post of Texas; three grandchildren, Erica, Brad (Toni) and Derek Bixby and a great-grandson, Braxton Bixby.
He was predeceased by a brother, Lloyd Post and a sister, Colleen Johengen.
Calling hours will be held Saturday, August 20 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie.
Interment will be in Steamburg. Memorials may be made to Valatie Rescue Squad, P.O. Box 242, Valatie 12184 or the American Cancer Society, 1 Penny Lane, Latham 12110.