Alivia Lynne Butler (2014 – 2017)
HILLSDALE—Alivia Lynne Butler, 2, died Monday, April 3 at home.
She was born May 31, 2014, a miracle baby weighing 4 pounds, 15 ounces.
A fighter right from the start, she battled Cystic Fibrosis and Down’s Syndrome among many other medical challenges. She fought everyday but remained the most joyful and happy child with her radiating and contagious smile touching everyone’s heart.
Alivia loved music and dancing to her favorite movie, “Sing.” She also loved watching her favorite show, “Bob Bob” Spongebob.
Alivia is survived by not only her loving family but also by many friends who cared for her deeply.
She is gone but not forgotten.
Friends are invited and may call Tuesday, April 11, 2017 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 8063 Route 22 in Copake.
A Service of Remembrance will follow at 1 p.m. from the funeral home.
To send an online condolence visit www.peckandpeck.net.
Dawn Orsted (1940 – 2017)
LIVINGSTON—Dawn Gloria Orsted, 76, of East Greenbush passed away March 25, 2017 at the Livingston Hills Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.
She was born July 4, 1940 in Hudson, the daughter of Dorothy Disher Couchman and Ray Hagedorn Couchman of Germantown. She graduated from Germantown Central School in 1958.
Ms. Orsted spent her career in sales, promotion and broadcasting. An avid musician, she enjoyed entertaining at many venues in the Hudson Valley. She particularly enjoyed entertaining at veteran activities. A lover of animals, Ms. Orsted was active in many animal rescue organizations.
She is survived by her daughter, Catherine (Cathy) Knott of Rensselaer and a brother, Barry J. Couchman of East Taghkanic.
A memorial service will be celebrated later in the spring. Arrangements are with the Yadack-Fox Funeral Home, 209 Main Street, Germantown. Condolences may be expressed at www.yadackfox.com
Juanita J. Rose (1926 – 2017)
CHATHAM—Juanita J. Rose, 90, passed away peacefully April 6, 2017.
Her husband, Earl Rose; parents, Nathan Bedrosian and Ruth Thornton; brother, Raymond Bedrosian and daughter-in-law, Roberta Rose, all predeceased her.
Surviving are: her sons, Lanny, Wayne and Mark (Kathy) Rose; five grandchildren, Michael (Kelly), Melissa, Jeramey (Alyissa), Gina and Anna (Wes); 11 great-grandchildren, Michael, Jr., Mathew, Kacey, Emily, Charlie, Amelia, Eliza, Adrienne, Jaqueline, Sophia and Gabe, whom she enjoyed so much; many loving and caring friends and neighbors with Ellen and June being her “rocks.”
Mrs. Rose grew up in Colonie and lived there until 1962 when she and her family moved to Chatham. She became a cashier at the First National and retired from there after more than 25 years.
She was active member of the St. Luke’s Church in Chatham for more than 50 years.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wildwood Foundation, 2995 Curry Road Extension, Schenectady 12303 or the Chatham, Pantry, Main Street, Chatham 12037.
A memorial service will be held at the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham, Tuesday, April 11 from 4 to 6 p.m. Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com.
Claire P. Verenazi (1934 – 2017)
SPENCERTOWN—Claire Paddock Verenazi passed away Friday, March 31, 2017 at the age of 83 with her loving family by her side after a long battle with Alzheimer ’s disease.
Born January 5, 1934 in the Bronx, she was the daughter of the late Walter M. and Charlotte R. Paddock.
She grew up in Yonkers; graduated from Roosevelt High School in 1951 and from Katharine Gibbs School in 1953 with a secretarial degree.
August 14, 1954, she married Albert A. Verenazi. They met on Queechy Lake while she was vacationing with her family. They spent 59 wonderful years together before his passing in 2013. Mrs. Verenazi began her career in New York City. She then took time off to raise her family. She later began working for Kring Nursing Home part-time before becoming a legal secretary for attorneys Alan Hegeman, David Needleman and most recently, the Keith Flint Law Firm, retiring in 2008. At the same time, Mrs. Verenazi also managed the family farm, Butternut Creek Farm on Pratt Hill Road in Spencertown. Together the Verenazis worked their dairy until the early 1970s when they sold the cows. They still continued to raise and sell hay. Mrs. Verenazi then managed her husband’s excavation business.
Being community-minded, she served on various committees and boards in the local area. Mrs. Verenazi was on the Town of Austerlitz Zoning Commission, Spencertown Academy Board of Directors and served as secretary, the Spencertown Tower Club, trustee for Saint Peter’s Presbyterian Church for seven years while also singing in the choir, serving on the Clara Gott Fund and teaching Sunday school.
Mrs. Verenazi loved gardening and was known for her perennial garden. She enjoyed her time with the Kinderhook Garden Club winning awards for various competitions. She also loved to knit, creating beautiful sweaters for her grandchildren before there were too many to keep up with. Mr. and Mrs. Verenazi enjoyed traveling, having been to Italy, Alaska, New Mexico and many family ski trips, even though she didn’t ski. She also enjoyed reading and was a book club member.
Her greatest love was for her family. She was a loving mother and grandmother (Grammy) and a beautiful lady. Her family has fond memories of family and friends gathering together in her home overlooking the beautiful pond and farm.
Left to cherish these memories are: her son, Gregory (Pamela) Verenazi of Chatham and their children Glenn, Esther and Katie; her daughter, Lynne (David) Michaels of Kattskill Bay and their children Benjamin and Kimberly; her son, Mathew (Sandi) Verenazi of Chatham and their children Allyson, Erin and Grant; her sister, Beryl (Richard) Zapp of Yorktown Heights; her sister-in-law, Kathy Paddock of Boca Raton, FL; several nieces and nephews and her dear friend, Estelle Hawkins of Spencertown.
In addition to her parents and husband, Albert, Mrs. Verenazi was predeceased by her brother, Walter Paddock, Jr.
The Verenazi family thanks caregivers who took loving care of both of Mr. and Mrs. Verenazi so they could remain at home, Kayla, Lori and Gladys as well as other caring individuals and recently the Community Hospice.
A memorial service will be held Tuesday, April 11, 2017, 5 p.m. at St. Peter’s Presbyterian Church in Spencertown with a celebration of Mrs. Verenazi’s life immediately following at the Spencertown Fire Company.
According to Mrs. Verenazi’s wishes, in lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be to her favorite charity, Guide Dogs for the Blind at www.guidedogs.org (because she loved her Golden Retriever, Cara) or to The Community Hospice of Columbia/Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414. For online condolences visit wenkfuneralhome.com.
Richard K. Tucksmith (1941 – 2017)
ALBANY—Richard K. Tucksmith, 75, passed away peacefully in the presence of one son and the prayers of another at Albany Medical Center April 5, 2017.
He was born April 28, 1941 in Queens.
He had moved recently to Albany to be closer to family after a lifetime of residency in New York City. He was the beloved son of the late Gustav and Cecilia (McDonnell) Tucksmith, and the adored younger brother of the late Katherine (Tucksmith) Fallon and Ceil (Tucksmith) Buser.
Mr. Tucksmith was a proud alumnus of the College of the Holy Cross in MA. He worked as an accountant for many fruitful years for Time, Inc., and Fortune 500 until his retirement. He was a lover of almost all things sports-related, a devout and inquisitive Catholic, a communicant of St. Joseph’s Church of Yorkville, a student of Greek, an avid chess player, a philatelist and a devoted grandpa.
He is survived by: his loving sons, Richard (Dawn) Tucksmith, Jr., of Chatham and Scott Tucksmith of Queens; his loyal nieces and nephews, Kathleen, Cece, Barbara, Richard, Charles, Robert, Eugene and the late Jean were very important to him; his grandchildren, Ian, Annika, Elisabeth, Charlotte and Robin Tucksmith would be his proudest legacies.
He will be missed by many friends, old and new.
A memorial Mass will be celebrated at St. James Catholic Church in Chatham, April 22 at 10 a.m. with burial to follow.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mr. Tucksmith’s honor may be made to St. Joseph’s Church, 404 East 87th Street, New York City 10128 or the charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements are with the Wenk Funeral Home, 21 Payn Avenue, Chatham. For online condolences visit wenkfuneralhome.com
Jean K. Conte (1931 – 2017)
GHENT—Jean K. Conte, 86, of Hudson died Wednesday, April 5, 2017 at Whittier Skilled Nursing Center.
Born January 9, 1931 in Hudson, she was the daughter of Sydney and Johanna (Lagitch) Finch.
Mrs. Conte was a switchboard operator at Columbia Memorial Hospital for many years. She loved shopping, going out to dinner, and anything that involved socializing. She truly enjoyed talking to her family and friends on the phone.
She also loved gardening and meticulously caring for her house, especially her red geraniums every summer. She was a devoted grandmother, never refusing to take care of her grandchildren when asked.
Survivors include: her three children, James (Amy) Conte, Michael Conte and Susan Conte; grandchildren, Christopher Keefe, Alyssa and Jimmy Conte; great-granddaughter, Makenna Conte.
She was predeceased by her husband, Dominic Conte; brother, Robert Finch and sister, Mildred Nartowicz.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, April 10 from St. Mary’s Church in Hudson. Interment will be in Cedar Park Cemetery. Visitation hours are Sunday, April 9, 1 to 4 p.m. at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson.
Memorial contributions in Mrs. Conte’s name are welcome to be sent to Community Hospice of Columbia-Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414.
