Richard A. Lindmark (1931 – 2022)

PALATINE BRIDGE—Richard Arthur Lindmark, 91, of Sharon Springs passed away at the Palatine Nursing Home, October 8, 2022.

Born May 3, 1931 in Brooklyn, he was the son of Edythe and Ernest Lindmark.

He served in the United States Marines from 1951 to 1954 and was a sergeant for one year while serving in Korea. On April 14, 1956 he married Bernice Juhl. They were blessed with four children: Victoria Lindmark of Schenectady, Deborah (George) Crosby of Sharon Springs, Richard (Wendy) Lindmark of Canaan and Carl (Terisa) Lindmark of Selkirk; eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren. He was predeceased by his sister, Marion Lind Anderson.

A draftsman by trade, Mr. Lindmark worked for Texaco in New York City and Crellin Plastics in Chatham. Also a craftsman, he was an exceptional woodworker and enjoyed sharing what he made with family and friends.

He was previously a member of the Red Rock Volunteer Fire Company, the Chatham American Legion, and served as treasurer of the East Chatham Methodist Church.

He and his wife were most recently members of Cornerstone Baptist Church in Ames, NY.

Mr. Lindmark’s family extends grateful thanks to the Stratton VA Hospital and the Palatine Nursing Home for the care he received.

Services will be held at Cornerstone Baptist Church on Route 10 in Ames, Friday, October 14, 2022. Visitation is from 10 to 11 a.m., followed by a service at 11 a.m. Interment will follow at the Canajoharie Falls Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests a gift to Cornerstone Baptist Church, 7274 State Highway 10, Ames 13317-3215. Arraignments have been entrusted to the care of Lenz and Betz Funeral Home, Canajoharie. Visit Mr. Lindmark’s online memorial at: http://www.brbsfuneral.com

Milena A. Herring (1955 – 2022)

COLUMBIA, SC—Milena Ann Herring died October 4, 2022, in Columbia, SC. She was 67 years old.

She was the oldest child of the late Elizabeth Anne (Bette) Herring of Columbia, and the late Oakley Legrand Herring of Raleigh, NC. She was born in Paris, France, and grew up in South Carolina. A member of community theater royalty in Columbia, she was the oldest daughter in a family troupe that included her three sisters, her brother and her mother.

She attended Spring Valley High School where she was crowned the first Miss Spring Valley. She graduated from the North Carolina School of the Arts and earned a BA in theater and speech from the University of South Carolina. She completed course work toward a Master of Fine Arts at USC. During those years, she was a constant presence at Longstreet Theatre, Town Theatre and Workshop Theatre.

Her career spanned several industries: fundraising, advertising, public relations and the arts.

She moved to New York in the early ‘80s and found work in commercials, on All My Children and on Law & Order. She also worked off-Broadway as an actor and a director. She was the founder of LEAP Productions and served as its artistic and managing director. She was the driving force behind the revitalization of the Ancram Opera House in Ancram.

She shifted career direction to New York advertising in the late ‘90s, was national advertising account manager for Mike Magazine and sales manager for Ad Age. After that, she switched to fundraising and raised millions for organizations throughout New York.

She was vice president of development for New York’s Battery Conservancy and served as director of annual giving for the Municipal Art Society of New York. She also served as leadership gifts officer for Billie Jean King’s Women’s Sports Foundation. She was a member of New York Women in Development as well as Advertising Women of New York. She was involved with the Columbia Council on the Arts in Upstate New York.

She was a natural fundraiser and a gifted storyteller. She was a voracious reader, traveled the world and loved to bird watch. She rubbed elbows with the New York literary elite and celebrities and was comfortable in any setting.

She would labor over just the right word, set decoration or the perfect color of lipstick. For her, the devil was always in the details—a characteristic that drove some of her actors nuts. One of her favorite local actors described her this way: “Some found her difficult. Some found her demanding. Some found her outrageous. And I was happy that all of that could be true, and still, we were friends.”

A former deputy editor of the New York Times Book Review described Ms. Herring as having “unfailingly sound instincts and advice” as a writer and editor.

New York was home to her in many ways. She lived there for nearly 30 years and knew the territory like the back of her hand. During the week, she maintained a residence in Manhattan. Summers were spent on Fire Island. Weekends were spent in her beloved Hudson River Valley in Columbia County, where she built a home, gardened, biked, fished and kayaked. It is the place she still called home for the remainder of her life.

She was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in 2007 but likely had suffered from its effects for much longer. She moved back to South Carolina when MS became too much for face-paced New York City. The winters were too harsh on her limbs, and the subway was no longer an option when she started using a cane to assist her.

She became involved once again in Columbia’s active theater scene, directing plays at Town Theatre and Trustus Theatre. Her passion for and expertise at fundraising and promotion extended to her work with South Carolina and Columbia (SC) chapters of the MS Society, where she became a tireless advocate for the rights of the disabled and an advocate for access to quality healthcare. She lobbied on both the state and federal levels with tremendous success and often in a wheelchair.

She was a development consultant for a local non-profit and raised money for the Red Cross, Women in Philanthropy and the MS Society. She also was a staunch supporter of women’s and gay rights.

But it was her work in the theater that sustained her throughout her life, and she directed local plays as long as the MS symptoms permitted. The theater process was her greatest love—as an actor and a director. And it broke her heart when MS took away her ability to keep pace with its demands. Directing and the theater didn’t always pay the bills, but it was where she was her best self and the most at home. She spent a lifetime entertaining people.

A near-fatal car accident in early 2022 caused her to lose a leg. What MS hadn’t already taken from her the accident took the rest. She had a tough finish—a hard, painful finish. But she fought to the end with “piss and vinegar.”

An old friend from Germany wrote, summing up her life–the way she lived it and the way she left it.

“Milena was a beautiful, creative, vivacious, rebellious and somewhat egocentric person [who] lived her life to the fullest. Her last years must have been almost intolerable… but she maintained a healthy sense of humor which shows that she was also a very strong person. Her body simply gave out. Whatever is immortal in us is finally liberated of the burden of a sick, injured, aging shell. No more pain. No more worries. No more secret desperation. She went home.”

Her survivors include: Holly and Greg Dunkin; Lisa and Greg Cantrell; Stephen and Diane Herring; Sheryl McAlister; Georgialee Hallman; Allen Bardin; Sally Boyd; Joan Eison; Judy Everett; Barbara Gelberd; Maria Smoak; nieces, nephews, grand-nieces, grand-nephews and many friends.

She was predeceased by: Bette Herring; Oakley Herring; Johanna (Jodi) Herring and Le Anne Schreiber.

A celebration of Ms. Herring’s life will be held at Workshop Theatre (on the Columbia College campus in Columbia, SC), Saturday, December 3, 2022 in the afternoon. Further details will be provided through www.oldbroadnewtrix.com and Facebook. In lieu of flowers consider a donation to the National MS Society, Workshop Theatre, Town Theatre or one’s local arts community.

James A. Herring (1931 – 2022)

HUDSON—The family of James A. Herring of Hudson is sad to announce that he passed away peacefully at home at the age of 91, Tuesday, October 4, 2022 surrounded by his loved ones.

Known to many as “Watash,” he was born April 26, 1931 in Clinton, NC. He was a veteran of the United States Army and served in the Korean War. He was also a Masonic member of the Mt. Zion Lodge #46 in 1962 in Catskill, where he was a lifetime member after serving in several stations of the lodge until his death. He was also the first black barber at Moses Taylor Barbershop in Catskill.

He enjoyed being a faithful member of Shiloh Baptist Church in Hudson. He served as a member of the Sr. Usher Board, Trustee Ministry, Men’s Network, and Men’s choir. He was always cracking jokes and enjoyed telling his life stories to others. One of his favorite things to say was “When [did] you get back?” which meant he hadn’t seen you in awhile.

He was very loved and will be missed terribly. He was predeceased by the late Mary A. Hughes and daughter Carolyn Smith of Hudson. He is survived by: three daughters, Vivian Herring and Jackie (Herring) Walker of Hudson, and Latonja Lowe of Kingston; grandchildren, Omar Smith, Denita Bell-McKenzie of Hudson, Deyana Walker of the Bronx and Corey Marshall of Kingston; great-grandchildren, Tyrone Bell, LeBron Frazier, Julian Smith of Hudson and Maleah Marshall of Kingston; along with many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends.

The funeral service was held at Shiloh Baptist Church, 14 Warren Street, Hudson, October 11. The repast was held at the Elks Lodge, 201 Harry Howard Avenue, Hudson following the burial service at Cedar Park Cemetery, 20 Columbia Turnpike. Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences.

Wayne E. Kihlmire (1968 – 2022)

ALBANY—Wayne E. Kihlmire, 54, of Livingston, a former Rhinebeck resident, passed away Friday, October 7, 2022 at Albany Medical Center after a long and courageous battle with leukemia.

Born September 17, 1968 in Poughkeepsie, he was the son of the late Arnold and Mary Lou (Baranek) Kihlmire. He studied at Dutchess Community College and went on to earn his BA in psychology from Marist College in Poughkeepsie.

He married Sherry Scism, May 17, 1997 in Red Hook. She survives at home.

For nearly 30 years, Mr. Kihlmire worked with the Devereux Foundation based in Red Hook. Throughout his career he earned several different titles, his latest position was training director.

An avid sports enthusiast, he was always active in local sports. He played softball in the Red Hook Over 40 League and umpired in that league as well. He also umpired Little League, men’s softball and girls’ softball throughout Red Hook, Tivoli, and Germantown. Although he coached for his children, he could often be found coaching teams wherever needed, even if his kids were not involved. He coached Little League, CYO basketball, softball, Red Hook Youth Football, Red Hook Flag Football, and much more. He also ran the summer softball program for Tivoli Recreation. He often volunteered at Red Hook football sidelines working the “chain gang.”

One of his greatest passions was his love for his family. He camped with family and friends on the weekends at Waubeeka Family Campground, vacationed with family in Lake George, and cuddled with his 85-pound “lap dog,” Buster.

In addition to his loving wife, Sherry, he is survived by: his children, Joseph (Kayla) Kihlmire of Philmont, Jacob (girlfriend Michaela) Kihlmire of Livingston, Robbie (Kirstie) Benware of Livingston and Amanda Kihlmire of Livingston; his grandson, RJ; his brother, Jeff (Pam) Kihlmire of Alaska; his niece, Andie (Kinnon) Scharen of Alaska; his great-nephews, Jace and Rowan; along with extended family, countless friends, and colleagues.

Friends may call at the Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 7461 South Broadway, Red Hook, Wednesday, October 12, 2022 from 4 to 7 p.m. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date.

In honor of Mr. Kihlmire’s love of the Pittsburgh Steelers, his family asks attendees to wear Steeler colors—black and yellow, his favorite color purple, or Rush paraphernalia.

For directions or to sign the online guest book visit www.Burnett-White.com.

Michael F. Dufficy (1957 – 2022)

GREENPORT—Michael Francis Dufficy, “Duff,” 64, recently of Greenport and Ghent, died Monday, October 10, 2022 at his home in Greenport.

Born in NYC, he was the son of the late Joseph and Marie (Doyle) Dufficy. He was a self-employed home repair serviceman. He was a kind-hearted loving man and had a special love for animals. He will be missed by his loving family including: his former wife, Mary Ann Dufficy; daughter, Michelle Dufficy; brothers, Joseph and Debra Dufficy, Thomas and Danielle Dufficy; his sister, Mary (Robert) Najdek; his godson, Michael Romano; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Calling hours and funeral services will be held Saturday, October 15, 2022 beginning at 10:30 a.m. at the Sacco Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport. A Prayer Service will be conducted at 11:30 a.m. with Fr. Anthony Barratt officiating. Burial follows in Cedar Park Cemetery Hudson.