Jean C. Maas (1935 – 2019)
LENOX, MA—Jean C. Maas, 83, of Valatie died Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center in Lenox, MA.
Born December 26, 1935 in Tarrytown, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Ester (Adams) Matzel.
Jean and Robert Maas were married for more than 50 years. They enjoyed traveling especially to Lake George, their home on the Cape, and winters spent in Naples, Florida. Family was everything to Mrs. Maas. She cherished visits with her grandchildren and great-grandchild. The family is grateful to the dedicated professional staff at Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center. To remember Mrs. Maas in a special way, make donations to Kimball Farms Nursing Care Center, 40 Sunset Avenue, Lenox, MA 01240.
She is survived by: her son, Douglas R. Maas (Kathy) of Valatie; two daughters, Linda Jean Staszowski (James) of Lenox, MA, and Donna Marie Ciocci of Cototuit, MA; a brother, Arthur Matzel (Pat) of Holbrook, NJ; a sister-in-law, Joan Matzel of Queens; seven grandchildren, Katie Valente, Justin Maas, Brittany Lagarce, Breana Staszowski and Kristin, Kendra and Evan Ciocci, and a great-granddaughter, Kelsi Maas. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert E. Maas and her brother, Charles Matzel.
A funeral Mass was celebrated Friday, March 22 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Kinderhook, with the Reverend Tom Malionek officiating. Burial followed in Albany Rural Cemetery. Arrangements were with the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie.
Richard E. Valentine (1929 – 2019)
LENOX, MA—Richard E. Valentine, 89, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2019 at Kimball Farms in Lenox, MA.
He was born April 6, 1929 in the Bronx, the son of Edward and Agnes (Kaminski) Valentine.
He proudly served his country with the United States Army.
Mr. Valentine was a manager for IBM in Fishkill and a longtime member of the Craryville Fire Company, well into his 80s. He also enjoy driving new cars for dealerships.
On November 29, 1975 in Stanfordville, he married Rose Marie (Lawless) Valentine. She survives him at home.
In addition to his loving wife, Rose Marie, survivors include: Kelly Thorn; Patricia Scott; Richard Valentine; Kathy-Lynn Enright; Jeanne Chase; 11 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
A funeral service was held Saturday, March 23, 2019 at the Peck and Peck Funeral Home, 8063 Route 22, Copake, with Vicar Jackie Jefferson officiating.
Interment will be private.
In lieu of flowers memorial contributions are requested to the Craryville Fire Company, 4210 County Route 7, Craryville 12521.
The family thanks Hospice and Kimball Farms for the loving care that they gave.
To sign the online register access www.peckandpeck.net
Dorothy Smithers (1919 – 2019)
COPAKE FALLS—Dorothy “Dot” Smithers of Copake Falls, formerly of Lynbrook and Hutchinson Island, FL, passed peacefully March 13, 2019 in upstate New York in her 100th year.
She was predeceased by her loving husband, Charles. She was the devoted mother of Nancy Hescheles and Janet Virkus; beloved mother-in-law of David Hescheles and Philip MacAllister; loving grandmother of Kimberly Hines, Matthew Virkus, Jennifer Anschel and Jessica Joyce and is also survived by five beautiful great-grandchildren.
Mrs. Smithers was a member of the woman’s auxiliary at the Vulcan Fire Department in Lynbrook, became a volunteer driver for the visually impaired and was the secretary for the Athletic Director at LHS for 25 years.
Her family was the center of her life. She was strongly influenced by her faith. She successfully dealt with the struggles of aging and always found the good in life.
A celebration of her life will be in the spring.
In her memory, show an act of kindness.
Robert J. Donahue, Sr. (1937 -2019)
HUDSON—The family of Robert “Doc” J. Donahue, Sr., announces his passing surrounded by his loving family, Tuesday, March 19, 2019.
Born October 20, 1937 in Albany, he was the son of Joseph and Isabelle (Saltis) Donahue.
Affectionately known as “Bob” or “Doc,” Mr. Donahue was a 1955 graduate of St. Mary’s Academy in Hudson. After graduation, he and three of his fellow classmates joined the United States Navy. After earning an honorable discharge from the Navy, he was employed as a mail carrier for the U.S. Postal Service for 25 years. He was known for his speed walking and prompt delivery. After retirement, Mr. Donahue drove for the Office of the Aging, taking residents to their doctor’s appointments. His commitment to his community and the City of Hudson was unsurpassed. He served as fifth ward alderman for 24 years, was a life-member of Hudson Elk’s Lodge #787, volunteered for Meals on Wheels, and was an umpire for the Columbia-Greene Umpire Association for more than 20 years. Mr. Donahue was a devoted, lifelong communicant of Holy Trinity St. Mary’s Parish in Hudson.
He married the love of his life, Marilyn (Magee) Donahue in 1959, she predeceased him four months ago in November. Together, they raised five children, Laura, Robert, Jr. (Debbie), Daniel Donahue, Carolanne (Robert) McComb and Paul Donahue, who died in December 2017. Also left to cherish his memory are: nine grandchildren, and three great-grandchildren who brought immense joy to his life. In addition to his wife, son and parents, he was predeceased by a brother, Joseph Donahue.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, March 25, 10 a.m. from Holy Trinity / St. Mary’s Parish in Hudson. Visitation hours at the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson are Sunday, March 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. Interment will be in Cedar Park Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Mr. Donahue’s name may be made to Bethany Ministries, P.O. Box 432, Middleburgh 12122-0432 or Community Hospice of Columbia-Greene, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414.
Linda J. Knott (1951 – 2019)
HUDSON—Linda J. Knott, 67, of Greenport passed away March 21, 2019 at Columbia Memorial Hospital.
She was born July 26, 1951 to Harold and Grace (Hawver) Hotaling.
On July 24, 1971 she married James Knott, and together they shared 47 years of marriage. She was a homemaker who took great pride in her family. She enjoyed shopping and keeping a tidy house.
Mrs. Knott is survived by: her husband, James; her children and their spouses, Lisa and Kevin Johnson, James Jr. and Audrey Knott; her six grandchildren, James, Kaitlyn, Zachary, Jacob, Emma and Isaiah Johnson; her two sisters, Sherry Warner and Grace Kaeding.
A funeral service will be held Monday, March 25, 2019, 2 p.m. from the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. Interment will follow in Cedar Park Cemetery.
Mildred G. Spoor (1927 – 2019)
GHENT—Mildred “Millie” Spoor entered into eternal rest Friday, March 22, 2019 after a period of declining health. She was 92-years-old, and a resident at the Whittier Skilled Rehabilitation and Nursing facility.
She was born February 17, 1927 in Boyntonville, (Rensselaer County), to Herman and Maude Sweet.
In 1945, she moved to Schenectady and secured a job with General Electric during its transition from war to peacetime production.
It was in Schenectady that she met the love of her life, Robert E. “Bob” Spoor. The couple married in 1949. A few years later, their children, Robert A. Spoor and Barbara J. Spoor were born, and the family moved to Claverack.
She was a loving and doting mother, and her focus soon expanded from her own children to others, as a Sunday school teacher and Vacation Bible School teacher at the Reformed Dutch Church in Claverack. She was also the den mother for a Brownie troop and a Cub Scout troop, as well as an adviser to the church’s teen youth group. She was involved with the church’s Eendracht Circle, and an enthusiastic contributor to the annual bazaar.
Eventually, Mr. and Mrs. Spoor joined the A.B. Shaw Fire Company in Claverack. Mr. Spoor was a volunteer firefighter and Mrs. Spoor was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary. The fire company became their primary volunteer and social outlet for several decades.
Mrs. Spoor had a natural artistic ability, which she expressed in painting, interior decorating, and especially her famous beeswax candles. She was also skilled in the art of food preservation, including freezing, canning and preserving. Many holiday dinner guests expressed delight over the presence of corn-on-the-cob, strawberry shortcake, and many types of pickles during the winter and spring months.
She was predeceased by her husband in 2008. She is survived by: her children, Robert of San Francisco, CA, and Barbara of Washington, D.C.; her sister-in-law, Michele Sweet of Castleton; several beloved nieces and nephews scattered across the country. In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by: brothers, Herman J. and William M. Sweet; as well as sisters, Elizabeth A. Rector and Mary J. Sowder.
The family acknowledges the outstanding love and superb care received at the Whittier facility in Ghent, as well as the Emergency Room at Columbia Memorial Hospital, the Greenport Rescue Squad, and St. Peter’s Hospice of Columbia-Greene Counties.
Calling hours will be Wednesday, March 27, 2019, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sacco-McDonald-Valenti Funeral Home, 700 Town Hall Drive, Greenport. Funeral services will follow at 2 p.m. at the Reformed Dutch Church of Claverack, 88 State Route 9H, Claverack, with Pastor Linda Miles officiating. Burial will be in the Reformed Dutch Church Cemetery. Following funeral services friends are invited to gather at the A.B. Shaw Firehouse in Claverack for a celebration of Mrs. Spoor’s life.
In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to the A. B. Shaw Fire Company, Drawer A, Claverack 12513 or the Reformed Dutch Church, Drawer K, Claverack 12513.
