Patti Magee, 60, reporter, photographer
ROCHESTER—Patti Magee, 60, for many years the reporter for The Register-Star for Northern Dutchess and Southern Columbia Counties, died January 25 at Monroe Community Hospital in Rochester of complications from melanoma. She also lived with epilepsy for the last seven years.
Miss Magee reported and photographed every type of community event from newspaper’s office in Red Hook.
Alan Grigsby, former editor of the newspaper, said in a press release, “I had the privilege of working with Patti who was devoted to covering her communities and who contributed mightily to the circulation growth we experienced in her coverage area.
“The first edition of the newspaper every day had special front, inside and back pages devoted to news that Patti produced with the support of the communities she covered.
“This intense reporting allowed for few things in Northern Dutchess and Southern Columbia Counties to go unnoticed which I think also helped to build those communities.”
“She will be missed by those of us who enjoyed working with her and those in the communities she represented,” Mr. Grigsby added.
After The Register-Star was sold to Park Communications in 1986 Miss Magee worked as a reporter on the west coast of Florida and later at the El Cajon newspaper near San Diego, California, which were owned by the former owner of The Register-Star, Raymond C. Kennedy.
Miss Magee also worked at the North County Times Newspaper in Temecula, Fallbrook and Oceanside, California.
A native of Rochester, Miss Magee was a graduate of Nazareth College and Penn State University, where she earned a masters degree in journalism.
She is survived by her cousin and her family, Cathy Pultorak of Rochester, who was her primary caregiver while battling her illnesses. She is also survived by her cousin, Teresa Ammerschuber and her family. She was the daughter of the late Sarah and John Magee.
Services will be private. Her ashes will be placed into the Atlantic Ocean near Cape Cod in accordance with her wishes.
Memorials may be made to the Epilepsy Foundation of Rochester, 1650 South Avenue, Suite 300, Rochester 14620 or the Visiting Nurse Service, 2180 Empire Boulevard, Webster 14580.
Arrangements are with the Leo M. Bean and Sons Funeral Home, 2771 Chili Avenue, Rochester.
Maria DeMarco, 89, seamstress, amazing cook
ALBANY—Maria DeMarco, 89, of Chatham died Sunday, January 29, 2012 at St. Peter’s Hospital.
Born December 23, 1922 in Picinisco, Italy, she was the daughter of the late Vincent and Carolina (Cervi) Sabatini.
She and her husband, Gerardo DeMarco, who died in 2004, came to the U.S. in 1956 to Port Chester, where she was a seamstress for many years. They moved to Livingston, Columbia County in 1982.
Mrs. DeMarco lived in Chatham for four years. She was a member of Corpus Christi Church in Port Chester, St Mary’s Catholic Church in Hudson and recently a member of St. James Roman Catholic Church in Chatham.
With a great spice of life, she was an avid gardener and amazing cook. She enjoyed preparing food for people and watching them eat. Really known for her great heart and sense of humor, she made people feel special.
She is survived by her daughter, Maria DeMarco of Chatham and her sister, Antonia Russo of Chatham.
A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated February 2 from the St James R.C. Church Chatham. Interment was in the St. James Cemetery. Memorials may be made to the Maria DeMarco Living Memorial Fund, c/o Kinderhook Union Bank, Chatham 12037. Arrangements were with the Wenk Funeral Home Chatham. For on-line condolences visit wenkfuneralhome.com
Gerald Schammann, 55, city employee, liked to work on vehicles
HUDSON—Gerald W. Schammann, 55, of Hudson, passed away Thursday, February 2, 2012 at Community Hospice at Columbia Memorial Hospital, surrounded by his loving family.
Born January 28, 1957 in Hudson, he was the son of the late Jacqueline M. (Hamm) and Harrison Schammann, Jr.
Mr. Schammann worked for the City of Hudson for more than 19 years. He loved working on cars and trucks and spending time with his family.
He is survived by: his devoted wife, Judith “Judy” (Maxwell) Schammann; two beloved daughters, Brandy (James, Jr.) Jennings and Angel Patterson, both of Hudson; a step-son, Ronald Maxwell of Hudson; his brother, Daniel (June) Schammann of Hudson; a sister-in-law, Robin Hoysradt of Hollowville; his god-daughter, Sarah Schammann; several grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Calling hours are 3 to 5 p.m. Monday, February 6 at the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home. Services will be held at 4:30 p.m. Monday at the funeral home.
Donations may be made to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society, 125 Humane Society Road, Hudson 12534, or to the American Cancer Society, 260 Osborne Road, Loudonville 12211.
To leave a message for the family go to www.batesanderson.com.
