Diana Swart (1960 – 2012)
SHARON, CT—Diana L. Swart, 52, of Pine Plains passed away on Friday, August 10, 2012 at Sharon Hospital.
She was born in Munich, Germany, January 25, 1960 the daughter of Anna Maria (Mager) Churchill of Beacon and the late David M. Churchill, Sr. Mrs. Swart was a proof operator for the Stissing National Bank in Pine Plains.
She was a member of the First Presbyterian Church in Ancramdale.
On May 29, 2008 in Pine Plains, she married Barry A. Swart. He survives her at home in Pine Plains.
In addition to her mother and husband, survivors include: her daughters, Amber O’Neil of Stanfordville, Samantha O’Neil of Pine Plains and Emily Swart of Pine Plains; a son, Matthew Swart of Pine Plains; a granddaughter, Arianna Sanseverino of Stanfordville; a step-son, Jamie Swart of Pine Plains; two sisters, Ellen Buehler of Wingdale and Tina DeMota of Fishkill; two brothers, David Churchill, Jr. of Lake Carmel and Thomas Churchill of Copake and several nieces and nephews.
Funeral services were Wednesday, August 15 at the Peck & Peck Funeral Home, 7749 South Main Street, Pine Plains, with the Reverend Carol Miller officiating.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions are requested to the American Cancer Society 6725 Lyons Street, East Syracuse 13057.
Staley Keith (1942 – 2012)
HUDSON—On August 11, 2012 Staley Bradley Keith was called home at Columbia Memorial Hospital at 8:15 p.m.
He was born December 29, 1942 in Raleigh, NC, to Mazie Hedgepeth-Keith and James H. Keith.
He attended Wake County Public Schools including John W. Ligon High School, where he was an all-star athlete and earned a full football scholarship to North Carolina Central University in 1961. At the university, he earned bachelor’ degrees in physical education and health.
Mr. Keith was being solicited by the Dallas Cowboys and Chicago Bears upon graduation, but decided to become a teacher and arrived in Hudson in 1965.
He began his career at the Berkshire Farm Center and Services for Youth in Canaan as a cottage supervisor, then moved on to the Office of Children and Family Services, formerly the New York State Division for Youth at the NYS DSS Training School for Girls, earning his permanent teaching certificate in physical education in 1966.
He received his master’s degree from Marywood College in education in 1978. He continued working for the state in many capacities from assistant director, director and administrator of Child Care and Senior Youth Division Counselor Unit.
Mr. Keith retired from the Brookwood Secure Center in 1995. He was a substitute school teacher for the Hudson City School District for many years to follow.
The Civil Rights Movement spurred Mr. Keith, a man of conviction, to seek political and social justice in the Hudson community and his career. He was a founding member of the Kiwanas Club, past president of the Columbia/Greene NAACP and vice president of the NYS Division Black Caucus, Employee Council Relations within the Division for Youth. Politically, he served as the commissioner of the Hudson Housing Authority; commissioner of cemeteries 1986 to 1988, 1989 to 1991; city alderman of the fourth ward and as Fourth Ward supervisor on the Columbia County Board of Supervisors. He also was an avid golf player and enjoyed playing the sport with friends. He was a member of the Board of Directors of the Twin County Vikings Football Team and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1992. He is also a member of the M.W. King Solomon Grand Lodge Mt. Carmel Lodge #52.
Mr. Keith was predeceased by his mother, father and younger brother Dwayne. He is survived by his wife of 30 years, Jacinta; daughter, Alexis and sister, Pauline Vandergrift.
Also left behind to cherish his memory is his niece, Pamela Douglas and her family, Waco Douglas, Sr., Waco Douglas, Jr., and Adonya Pinique Douglas; nephew, Paul F. Vandergrift, III, and his family, Angela Vandergrift, Paul Vandergrift, Delaney Vandergrift and Othell Wilson; nephew, Keith Vandergrift and his family, Stephanie Vandergrift and Keith Vandergrift, Jr. He also leaves behind two aunts, Juanita Hedgepeth and Madeline Keith and a host of cousins and friends.
Mr. Keith’s six-year-long battle with a rare disease called Amyloidosis finally called him home. His family will hold services at Bates and Anderson Funeral Home, Saturday, August 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. viewing hours will be from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. with services following. Interment will be in Cedar Park Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to a repast at the Savoia Restaurant, 214 Warren Street, Hudson.
Alene Hester (1911- 2012)
GHENT—Alene (Lee) G. Hester, 100, of Hudson died Monday, August 13, 2012 after a long illness at Whittier Nursing Home.
She would have been 101 on September 5.
She was a loving wife and a caring mother.
She was predeceased by her husband, Edward; her son, William and brother, Ira Gillette.
Mrs. Hester is survived by her sons, Edward and Richard (Ruth); her daughter, Marjorie Kitsock; a daughter-in-law, Judith; 15 grandchildren; 41 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
She worked many years as a friend and employee of the late Lillian Westerman at the Mam’selle Clothing Store in Hudson.
Services were Wednesday, August 15 at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home. Interment was in Cedar Park Cemetery.
Sonia Garrison (1952 -2012)
HUDSON—Sonia Marie Shetsky Garrison, 60, of Hudson, passed away Tuesday, August 14, 2012 at Columbia Memorial Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
Born in Hudson, July 25, 1952, she was the beloved daughter of Lillian M. (Skura) Tkacy and the late Frank Tkacy.
Mrs. Garrison enjoyed camping at Whip-O-Will Campgrounds, spending time with her family and friends, playing cards and going to the casinos. She was an animal lover, especially her dogs, Jesse, Joey, Sawdust, Baby, and Snuffles.
She worked at the Universal Match factory until it closed. She retired from Becton Dickinson in Canaan, CT, where she worked for more than 20 years.
In addition to her mother, she is survived by her beloved husband, Sammy Garrison; her loving brother, Edward Tkacy; her devoted children, Brian Shetsky (Christine), Michael Shetsky, Jr. (Susan), and Melissa Shetsky Scott (Earl); two step-children, Jennifer Otty (Kenneth) and Billy Harrison; seven grandchildren, Kyra, Alyssa and Tara Shetsky, Ryan and Tyler Goodman, and Alex and Seth Scott; 10 step-grandchildren, Gabrielle and William Poole, Devan and Damen Otty, Allyson Garrison, Shawna Maria Burt, Mary Beth Labelle and Shawn Michael, Hope and David Garrison and two great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her father, Frank Tkacy, a step-son, Shawn Garrison, and a grandson, Randie Hodges, Jr.
Calling hours are 5 to 7 p.m. Friday, August 17 at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home.
Services will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, August 18 at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Mellenville Union Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Cancer Treatment Centers of America, 1331 East Wyoming Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19124, or to Community Hospice of Columbia-Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414.
To leave a message for the family visit www.batesanderson.com.
