Obituaries: Hotaling, Snyder, Kern, VanSteenburg, Sheldon

Louise J.J. Marcy (1939 – 2023)

CHATHAM—Louise Joyce (Jackson) Marcy, 83, passed away peacefully in the early morning hours July 16, 2023 at the Layton Compound, where she resided with her daughter and son-in-law. “With heavy hearts, we bid farewell to a woman whose radiant spirit and unconditional love touched the lives of all who had the privilege of knowing her.” Born in Brooklyn, December 26, 1939 to Florence Helen (Kaht) Jackson and William Wynne Jackson, Sr., the family later relocated to Old Chatham to start a new life including the establishment of Jackson’s Old Chatham House. She grew up in Old Chatham and learned the importance of nurturing relationships and a deep appreciation for family values. Her role as a devoted wife, a loving and caring mother and grandmother were her greatest joy.

She attended Chatham School, where she met the love of her life, Lee Marcy, and eventually married him.

She was known for her “green thumb” and her love of plants. She knew her way around a kitchen starting at Jackson’s Old Chatham House when she was young. After she married Lee, they hosted many large Thanksgiving family dinners. She leaves behind a legacy of love, laughter, compassion and memories etched in the hearts of her loved ones.

She loved to travel and made trips to Italy, Germany, Alaska, Aruba, South Carolina, Florida, Hawaii and other places.

She was predeceased by: her parents; her loving husband of 37 years, Lee Randall Marcy; her brother, Arthur Jackson; a nephew, Jasson Jackson and great-nephew, Alan Keefner; her fur babies, Crystal, Lizzie, Fonzie, Max and Reggie.

She leaves behind: her daughter, Debi Marcy-Layton (J.P.); her brother, William Jackson; sister-in-law, Linda; her sister, Linda Harlow; her brother, Lee Jackson; sister-in-law, Sandra Jackson (Arthur); her precious pride and joys, her grandchildren, Michael James Layton (Sacha Newkirk); a great-granddaughter, Savannah Schermerhorn; her granddaughter, Leah Marcy Layton (Travis Nussbickel). She showered her grandchildren with adoration and delighted in every moment spent with them. Whether it was reading bedtime stories, baking cookies or attending their school events, she relished seeing their growth and accomplishments. She was proud that her grandchildren followed in their “Papa’s” footsteps and were a part of IBEW. Her grandchildren will forever carry her love in their hearts and find solace in the precious memories they shared with her.

She also had many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her blue bird, Robin, and Racquel who helped provide care, love and much laughter to her during her last month when she was able to come home again.

She drove a school bus for Chatham School District for 30 years. Everyday was not just about going to work, she loved her bus routes, the kids and the parents. She especially loved the crew she worked with and many of them became good friends outside of work.

Family received friends July 19 at the French, Gifford, Preiter & Blasl Funeral Home, Chatham. A Mass of Christian Burial followed at Saint James Church.

Donations may be made to Columbia County Hospice or the Columbia-Greene Humane Society. Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com.

Judith A. Shapiro (1946 – 2023)

LIVINGSTON—Judith A. Shapiro, 76, of Livingston passed away Saturday, July 8, 2023. Born September 20, 1946 in Pittsfield, MA, she was the daughter of Ralph and Rita (Book) Bauer.

She was an accomplished artist in many mediums, mostly oil on canvas. She created all of the art works for the Town of Livingston Bicentennial and produced portraits of the entire Livingston family. She loved to entertain, travel and tend to her gardens.

Mrs. Shapiro is survived by: her husband, Robert J. Shapiro, and her sisters, Jamie Kenyon and Jacqueline Bauer Hamilton.

Funeral services will be private. Memorial contributions in her name may be made to a charity of one’s choice. Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences.

Louis P. DeCrosta (1953 – 2023)

LIVINGSTON—Louis Paul DeCrosta, 70 years old, of Livingston passed away peacefully at his home, July 3, 2023 after a long illness.

He was born March 9, 1953 in Hudson, the third child of Louis A. DeCrosta and Phyllis Smith DeCrosta. He grew up in Livingston. He graduated from Hudson High School and attended Siena and Hartwick colleges. He was a member of the Boy Scouts of America. He advanced to Eagle Scout, and was inducted into the Order-of-the-Arrow.

Mr. DeCrosta was a successful real estate broker and served as past president of Columbia County Board of Realtors. He just recently retired. He was a kind, caring, generous and loving son, brother, uncle and friend to many.

He was predeceased by his parents and his brother, Anthony E. DeCrosta. He is survived by: his siblings, Andrea M. Tranchita (Paul), Ellen R. Morrison (Gary), Sheryl A. DeCrosta, Edward F. DeCrosta, III, Martiel Crepeau (Bob), Louis A. DeCrosta, II, (Maureen), Carolanne DeCrosta Madsen; his nieces and nephews, Kinda L. DeCrosta, Olivia R. DeCrosta, Elijah X. Olarinde, Brandon M. Morrison, Timothy J. Morrison, Sabrina Tranchita (Robert), and Meagan Tranchita Guerriero (John) and extended family.

A memorial service will be held at Bates & Anderson Saturday, July 22, from 1 to 3 p.m.

Condolences may be conveyed at batesanderson.com

Stephanie M.P. DeForest (1981 – 2023)

ALBANY—Stephanie Marie Parent DeForest, 41, of Hudson passed away July 4, 2023. She was born October 26, 1981 in Hudson.

After the rough times and many challenges of life, “we have to say good bye to our beloved mother, sister, aunt, niece, grandmother and friend.”

She was the daughter of the late Pamela and Peter McKay.

She is survived by: her eight beautiful children, Kyle of Germantown, Breanna of Naples, FL, Alexander of Springfield, MA, Destiny Leigh, Caitlin Elizabeth of Ravena, Amira Ann of Kingston, Allison Maria of Nassau, Paighton Violet Brook Snyder of Hudson; her granddaughter, Ainsley Brooke. She is also survived by: her brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, Dale Parent, Jr., nephew, Dale Parent, III, David, Charles McKay, Kimberlie McKay; her nieces, Arabella Brooks and Star Spence, Tanya Parent and children, Monique Dimond and children, Nicole Parent and Dean Morse.

A memorial celebration of life will be held Friday, July 21, 2023 from 4 to 8 p.m. at the Roe Jan Boat Club, 63 Station Road, Germantown. Condolences may be conveyed at frenchblasl.com.

Arlene R. Cummings (1936 – 2023)

CRANFORD, NJ—Arlene Rose Cummings (nee Mackey), 86, passed away July 7, 2023 in Cranford, New Jersey. She was born December 14, 1936 in Cranston, Rhode Island.

She was a beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She is survived by: her daughters, Suzanne Cummings, Diane Cummings and Kathleen Cummings; her granddaughters, Keating Bartlett, Kendal Anne Neal, Alexandra Armstrong and Emory Wilson; her great-granddaughters, Hailey and Allison Bartlett and Adalynn Neal. She was preceded in death by her husband, Thomas Mulhern Cummings.

She received her BA from Brown University and her master’s degree from the University of Rhode Island School of Education. She had a passion for education and dedicated her career to teaching. After marrying “Tom” and moving to Hudson in 1961, she taught elementary school students in Claverack and evening classes in English as a second language to recent immigrants. At the end of her career, she shared her lifelong love for reading by teaching incarcerated individuals at the Hudson Correctional Facility.

Outside of her professional life, she had a deep interest in genealogy and spent decades researching the Mackey family history, tracing her American ancestors back to the 17th century in New York State. Her extensive research led to her admission to the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution in 2015.

Family and friends paid their respects at Bates and Anderson Funeral Home, 110 Green Street in Hudson, July 17. Burial followed visiting hours.

Contributions may be made to Scholarship America, an organization that supports educational opportunities for students.

Peter A.M. Auld, MD (1928 – 2023)

ANCRAMDALE—Peter A.M. Auld, MD, 95, a 60-year resident of Ancramdale, formerly of Hastings-on-Hudson, died peacefully at his home in Ancramdale, Friday, July 14, 2023 surrounded by his loving family.

Dr. Auld was the director of nurseries at New York—Presbyterian Hospital/ Cornell University Medical Center in New York City from 1962 until his retirement in 2003.

Born February 5, 1928 in Ontario, Canada, he was the son of the late Archibald S. and Edith M. (McFaul) Auld. He received his medical degree from McGill University in Montreal. On September 15, 2001 in Poughkeepsie, he married Faye Robinson. Mrs. Auld survives at home in Ancramdale. In his spare time, he enjoyed playing golf and tennis, listening to opera music, traveling, watching shows on Broadway, horseback riding and he was an avid reader. He was also a longtime member of Grace Assembly Apostolic Church in Hudson.

Dr. Auld did a general internship at Montreal General Hospital and then completed residency training in pediatrics at Montreal Children’s Hospital and Children’s Hospital in Boston. He also served as chief resident in pediatrics at Children’s Hospital in Boston. He joined the faculty at Cornell in 1962 and achieved the rank of professor of pediatrics in 1970 and that of professor of obstetrics in 1974. He became the director of the Premature Nursery at New York Hospital in 1962, director of Nurseries in 1965 and director of the Perinatology Center in 1975.

Dr. Auld’s career was highlighted by many important contributions to the understanding of neonatal disease that involved both basic and clinical research. Three main themes emerge from his body of work.

Dr. Auld led the way in method of delivery of neonatal heath care in the State of New York. In the 1970s, he started the first neonatal practitioner program in the state, which included a training component. He also initiated a hospital-based neonatal transport service with a distinct neonatal paramedic module.

For the 40 years that Dr. Auld served as chief of service, he did so with vision and strong leadership that helped shape the field of neonatology, and in part, contributed to the improved well-being of sick newborn infants. He built a neonatal program of excellence that stood the test of time.

In addition to his wife, Faye, he is survived by: his children, Andrew Auld of Connecticut, Mo-Young Schnizler and her husband Matthias of Ancramdale, and a stepson, Dwayne Bent of Westchester County; two grandchildren, Jennifer Glickman and her husband Joseph and Shannon Williams and her husband Derick; four great-grandchildren, Dylan, Lucas, Zayne and Jayce; his daughter-in-law, Emily Auld; a brother, John Auld and a sister, Wendy and her husband Gordy of Canada; several nieces and nephews and many friends. In addition to his parents, he was predeceased by his son, David Auld.

Calling hours will be held Friday, July 21, 2023 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton. A funeral service will take place Saturday, July 22, 2023 at 10:30 a.m. at the funeral home. Rev. Williamson and Bishop Thomas will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to the Dr. Peter A.M. Auld Memorial Scholarship Fund, 238 Crest Lane, Ancramdale 12503. To read Dr. Auld’s complete obituary or send an online condolence visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com