Dorothy M. Chiarella (1935 – 2020)
GHENT—Dorothy M. Chiarella, 84, of Stuyvesant Falls died Tuesday, February 25, 2020 at the Ghent Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility (formerly Whittier).
Born May 28, 1935 in Goshen, she was the daughter the late Chester and Marguerite (Garman) Clift.
Mrs. Chiarella was the owner of Dot’s Beauty Shop in Stuyvesant Falls and was an examiner for both Columbia County Social Services and Pine Haven Home. She was a member of the Columbia Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary.
She is survived by: two children, David F. Chiarella of Stockport and Cindy L. Chiarella of Rhinebeck; a brother, Howard Clift of Argyle; a sister, Verna Duley of Fitchburg, MA; two grandchildren, Chad Cole of Lake Katrine, Brandon Cole of Red Hook; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Frank P. Chiarella.
Calling hours will be held Saturday, April 4, 2020 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie. Burial will follow in the Stuyvesant Falls Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made to the Columbia Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary or St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Gertrude M. Duffield (1923 – 2020)
KINDERHOOK—Gertrude M. Duffield passed away peacefully at age 96 February 28, 2020 at her home with her family beside her.
She was born in Brooklyn to Charles F. Miller and Carrie (Leonard) Miller, March 7, 1923.
Predeceased by her parents; husband, William Duffield; 40- year friend and companion, Charles Rothermel; sister, Agnes Splittberger; stepmother, Frances Miller; daughter, Christine Wagar and nephew, George Simard, Mrs. Duffield is survived by: daughter, Cindy Ciabotte; granddaughters, Nicole Suto (Drew), Jillian Manupella (Nick), Jessica Wagar (Matthew); grandson, James Wagar (Casey); great-grandchildren, Lee Suto, Ella Manupella, Ezekiel Wagar, Harper Wagar, and niece, Ann LeCroy.
She was a past matron and 50-year member of the Order of the Eastern Star; past member and officer of the Hudson Business and Professional Women (BPW), and past member of the Hudson Trippers.
Her lifelong automotive bookkeeping career began at the Clifford Rivenburg Cadillac-Olds dealership and then spanned 40-years at Village Dodge. After retiring at age 89, she worked part-time for Kinderhook Toyota.
A woman of determination and strength of will, Mrs. Duffield enjoyed her years of retirement with her family and close friends surrounded by the beauty of nature and her gardens. Watching and tending to the wildlife around her home was a pastime shared often. Her family enjoyed “Grammy’s” love and support for three generations, and gatherings at her home were filled with laughter, good food and lively conversation.
Her family is grateful for the caregivers who enabled her to remain in her home for the past few years. The patience and care given by Bonnie, Meredith, Liz and Jean were daily blessings.
Appreciation is also extended to the incredible Columbia County Community Hospice Team of Jane, Dawn, Stan, Nancy and Cindy who provided comfort and support.
A private interment service will be held March 7, when she would have turned 97 years old.
Arrangements are with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie.
Alexander Orlowski (1928 – 2020)
VALATIE—Alexander Orlowski, 91, of Valatie passed away Saturday, February 29, 2020.
He was the cherished husband of Mary Orlowski, with whom he shared 63 years of marriage. He was born September 22, 1928 in St. James, NY.
He was the son of Bolix and Mary Frances (Stasek) Orlowski. In 1944, he and his family relocated their farm to Stamford, NY. In 1951, “Alex” enlisted in the United States Air Force and served his country overseas during the Korean Conflict. After his service, he returned home to Stamford where he met and married his wife, Mary Florence Parys. In 1956, he joined the New York State Thruway in Suffern, then transferred to the Berkshire Spur division in 1958. He then planted roots in Valatie, where he lived through his retirement in 1986.
Mr. Orlowski’s hobbies included tending to his many gardens, participating in polka dancing events, hunting and cheering for his favorite NY sports teams, the Giants and Yankees.
In addition to his wife, Mary, he is survived by: his three children, Alexander (Johanna) Orlowski, Jr., Robert (Christina) Orlowski and Sandra Race; 10 grandchildren, Amanda, Michael, Theresa, Rebecca, Maria, Christina, Jessica, Sarah, Scott, Ryan; two great-grandchildren, Finbar, Mikael and extended family.
He will be greatly missed, but he left a lifetime of beautiful memories.
Interment will be private at St. John the Baptist Cemetery in Valatie at a later date. Arrangements being handled by Raymond Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie. Online condolences may be expressed at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Facebook site.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital (www.stjude.org) or the Columbia-Greene Humane Society (www.chgs.org/donate/).
William G. Sheldon (1922 – 2020)
GHENT—William Gerry Sheldon, (“Gerry” to his friends and family), 98, passed away peacefully Friday, February 28, 2020 at the Ghent Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility (formerly Whittier) with his family by his side.
Born January 29, 1922 in Hudson, he was the son of William H. and Alma (Purcell) Sheldon.
He was a devoted husband to his wife, Elizabeth (Pizza) Sheldon for 63 years until her passing in 2011; devoted father to Kathleen Kulyniak (Michael) of Greenport and W. Gerald Sheldon, Jr., (Roxanne) of Hudson; grandfather to Kyle Sheldon (Shannon) of McKinleyville, California, Daryn Sheldon (Tammy) of West Seneca and Travis Sheldon (Kerry) of Jeffersonville, Vermont; and great-grandfather to Christopher, Damien, Gracelynn, Anastasia, Victoria, Quinn, Declan and Maire; brother-in-law to Chic Loomis and Hilda Pizza; and uncle to 26 nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by two brothers, Roland and Jack and 22 sisters and brothers-in-law.
Mr. Sheldon graduated in 1941 from Hudson High School, where he played football and track. Following high school he worked as a machine tool specialist at the V&O Press Company where he was employed for 41 years. He often spoke fondly of his many friends and co-workers there. He was also a life-member of the Hudson Elks and a past member of the Hudson Fish and Game Club.
In 1942, he enlisted in the U.S. Army for the duration, and was assigned to the Army Medical Corps and received his medical training at the University of Nebraska. He served in the South Pacific until 1946. Upon his discharge he returned home to Hudson, and the V&O, until his retirement in 1986.
Always active, he enjoyed bowling, golf, fishing, ice fishing and hunting.
Mr. Sheldon was a loyal and faithful friend to several of his high school and Army buddies with whom he stayed in touch for more than 75 years. He had an engaging personality and never missed a chance to make someone laugh.
The family extends its gratitude to the staff on Unit 1 at Ghent Rehabilitation and Nursing Home, and to Community Hospice of Columbia/Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414, to which memorial contributions may be made in Mr. Sheldon’s name.
Calling hours are Wednesday, March 4, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Bates and Anderson Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. Services will also be held March 4, 1 p.m. at the funeral home, with Fr. Winston Bath officiating. Interment will follow at Cedar Park Cemetery in Hudson.
Hurshall H. Sears, Jr. (1964 – 2020)
MILLERTON—Hurshall H. “Mickey” Sears, Jr., 55, a three-year resident of Millerton, formerly of Amenia, died peacefully Thursday, February 27, 2020 at his home with his loving family at his bedside following a brief illness.
Mr. Sears was a professional truck driver for more than 20 years and made his way to 48 of the 50 states. He worked for Braun Moving, Inc. of Newtown, CT, for more than 20 years.
Born August 18, 1964 in Hinton, WV, he was the son of the late Hurshall H. and Nancy C. (Richmond) Sears, Sr. He was an avid lover of rock and roll music and being on the road. He was a simple man who wore blue jeans, rock band T-shirts, and cowboy boots. He was also an avid lover of animals, specially of his beloved dog, ZooZoo.
Mr. Sears is survived by: his life companion, Anna Spadaccini of Millerton; his brother, David Sears and companion Carolyn Adkins of Hinton, WV; two sons, Derek Sears of Ancramdale and Brett Sears of Millerton; three daughters, Maura Sears and her fiancé Bill Hosier of Copake, Abigail Sears of Hillsdale and Charlene Sears of Millerton; five grandchildren, Noah “Monk” Sears, Austin Sherman, Audrey Wagoner, Declan Hosier and Riley Hosier; close nieces and great nieces in Hinton, Sarah McGuire and daughter McKenzie, Nancy Buckland, Jennifer Stewart and her husband Joseph and their two daughters, Haley and Cicely.
Calling hours will be held Saturday, March 7, 2020 from 10 a.m. to noon at Ronald Meadows Funeral Parlors, 130 Temple Street, Hinton, WV 25951. Funeral services will take place at noon at the funeral home. Burial will follow at Upland Memorial Cemetery in Hinton, WV. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society. Arrangements are with the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home, 37 Park Avenue, Millerton. To send an online condolence visit www.conklinfuneralhome.com
Helen M. McGilvray (1927 – 2020)
GHENT—Helen M. McGilvray, a lifelong resident of Chatham, passed away Monday, March 2, 2020 peacefully at the Ghent Nursing and Rehabilitation Facility (formerly Whittier).
Born May 12, 1927 in Chatham, she was the daughter of the late John M. and Anna (Hoffman) McGilvray.
She graduated from Chatham High School and soon after began her career with the New York State Labor Department as secretary for many years until her retirement. She was a devoted life-time member of the First Reformed Church of Chatham having served as Sunday school teacher, choir singer and served on its Consistory. Miss McGilvray was also a member of the Order of Eastern Star. Besides her parents, she was predeceased by several aunts, uncles and her cousin, Jean Baker Goodrich. She is survived by her relatives, Lee Wheeland and Lynn Chang of California.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, March 7, 10 a.m. from the Wenk Funeral Home, 21 Payn Avenue, Chatham. Interment will follow in the Chatham Rural Cemetery. There are no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the First Reformed Church of Chatham, 23 Kinderhook Street, Chatham 12037. For online condolences, visit wenkfuneralhome.com
