Beverley Alva Van Alstyne (1931 – 2014)
KINDERHOOK—Beverley Alva (Browne) Van Alstyne passed into eternal peace at home on her husband’s birthday, July 13, 2014, surrounded by family and friends.
Born in 1931 in Brooklyn, her family moved to Malverne in Long Island, where she attended Malverne High School. She later graduated from SUNY Farmingdale with a major in graphic arts and was employed as a draftsperson in the aircraft industry. At Farmingdale, she met her future husband, Richard Van Alstyne of Stuyvesant. They were married October 26, 1953 and moved to Kinderhook.
They were blessed with five children, R. Glenn, Jeffrey L., Peter C., Gary P., and Thomas J. The family expanded with grandchildren, Carolyn, Jill, Benjamin, Devon, Adam, Raisa, Abbey and Jason.
Mrs. Van Alstyne had no trouble filling her time with her five sons and grandchildren, as well as her active membership in the Kinderhook Reformed Church and its religious education and community outreach. She helped organize and run the Hungry Hedgehog Food Co-op in Columbia County. She often taught art at Loudonville Christian School and Ichabod Crane High School. As an artist residing in Kinderhook, she researched and produced an illustrated, historical map of the Village of Kinderhook for the country’s bicentennial celebration in 1976. She and her family enjoyed time spent in Maine, Cape Cod and along the Atlantic coast. She traveled with her husband around the Pacific Northwest, the American Southwest and Europe.
Mrs. Van Alstyne always found time to help others, whether hosting children over the summer through the Fresh Air Fund of New York City, or hosting numerous students through the Rotary Club exchange programs from Sweden, Germany, Spain, France, Mexico and Africa. She always shared her broad knowledge with others. Her love for plants led to years of devoted volunteer service in the Cornell Cooperative Extension of Columbia County as a master gardener which led to many lasting friendships.
She later devoted her efforts to the non-profit organization ECHO of Fort Myers, FL, supporting agricultural science and food supplies in needy areas of the world.
Mrs. Van Alstyne looked forward to the peace and beauty of spending time at her summer home in the Adirondack Mountains, which was frequently the subject of her oil painting. In her later years, she relished the warm sands and sun in the company of friends during the winter months in Naples, FL. Always making new friends; she had a warm affiliation with the fellowship of the Cypress Woods Presbyterian Church in Naples, FL.
Mrs. Van Alstyne is survived by her loving husband, Richard of Kinderhook; her children and spouses, Glenn and Cindy of Ghent, Jeffrey of Latham, Peter and Becky of Chatham, Gary and Bonnie of Ashburn, VA, and Thomas and Elizabeth of Averill Park; her brother, Charles Browne, II, of Seattle, WA; niece, Christine Browne LaBruno of Woodbridge, NJ, and nephew Charles Browne, III, of Tokyo, Japan.
She will be greatly missed by her family and friends. A memorial service for her will be held at the Kinderhook Reformed Church, 21 Broad Street, Saturday, August 2, 2014 at 11 a.m.
Edward W. Smegoski (1924 – 2014)
HUDSON—Edward W. Smegoski, 89, of Hudson passed away Monday, July 21, 2014 at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
Born December 28, 1924 in Hudson, he was the son of the late John and Frances (Lapinski) Smegoski.
Mr. Smegoski served in the Army Air Force during World War II.
He was employed in the maintenance department at Coxsackie Correctional Facility before retiring. He previously worked as a welder for the Gifford Wood Corp. and the V & O Press.
Mr. Smegoski was very involved with various community services and the former Sacred Heart Church in Hudson. He was a driver for the Columbia County Health Care Consortium, a member of the Hudson Elks Lodge 787, a member of St. Mary’s Church in Hudson, and enjoyed gardening.
Mr. Smegoski is survived by: his daughter and son-in-law, Bernadette and Ralph Prata of Tucson, Arizona; his sister, Genevieve Kowalski of Colorado, and his beloved dog, Moses.
He was predeceased by his wives, Marcia (Day) Smegoski and Jean (Couse) Smegoski; four siblings, Josephine Phillips, Celia Schaffer, Jacob Smegoski and John Smegoski.
Visiting hours are Wednesday, July 23, 2 to 6 p.m. at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Thursday, July 24, 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church, 429 East Allen Street, Hudson.
Burial will be at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations may be made to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society.
Visit www.batesanderson.com to leave condolences.
Florence V. Hauptman
SHARON, CT—Florence V. Hauptman died peacefully at the Sharon Health Care Center on December 12, 2013 at the age of 102.
She was the wife of William S. Hauptman who predeceased her July 4, 1971.
She was born to Thomas F. Purcell and his wife Ada Cobb in New York City, where she lived the first half of her life. The light of her life was her only offspring, Dr. Kent T. Kay, who resides with his wife Marilyn in Millerton.
Mrs. Hauptman is survived by: four grandsons, Christopher Kay of Brooklyn, Timothy Kay and his wife Melanie and their son Alex and daughter Alycia of Millerton, Eugene Kay and his wife Jane and their daughters Emily and Jessica of Minneapolis, MN, and Clinton Kay and his wife Kathy and their daughters Gabrielle and Genevieve of Boulder, CO; a niece, Claire Lusardi of Fishkill.
Her two sisters and her brother predeceased her. Mrs. Hauptman had many interests, and before moving to Hillsdale, she operated an antiques business and was very active in politics and the East Fishkill Historical Society. Her wide circle of friends included many young people. She was an avid reader, enjoyed gardening and decorating her home and had a great sense of fashion. Mrs. Hauptman will be remembered for her wit, elegance and charm. A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, August 2, 1 p.m. at the Church of St. John in the Wilderness, 261 Route 344, Copake Falls.
Arrangements are with the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, Copake. To send an online condolences visit www.peckandpeck.net.
