Gloria J. Scannell (1925 – 2017)
ALBANY—Gloria Jean Scannell, 92, was born August 30, 1925, in Brooklyn, to Harold and Althea (Loesher) Walker and died in Albany, November 18, 2017.
She married and spent her life with Thomas Scannell. They lived in Lenox, MA, Voorheesville, Schodack Landing and retired on family land in Ghent.
She left a job as a laboratory technician to become a devoted homemaker raising their seven children.
Mrs. Scannell had a long career in the arts. Starting with awards in handwork in 4-H as a young girl in Ghent, she became an expert seamstress who sewed dresses for her many girls and her own fashionable wardrobe. Her love of all things fiber led her to learn the arts of braiding woolen rugs, weaving rugs and garments, and felt making. For decades, she sold her fiber arts at museums and juried craft shows and was a respected member of the fiber art community. She was truly an inspiration to many.
Mrs. Scannell raised black and white long-wool sheep. She washed, teased, carded, spun, natural dyed and knitted her home-grown prize-winning fiber and occasionally coaxed a stubborn baby lamb from its mother’s womb. She grew, harvested and preserved many vegetables and fruits at their historic Dutch salt-box home.
She always maintained an air of grace, order, beauty, song and poetry. Well-tended flowering plants or cut flowers accented her kitchen. She loved nature, science and health-conscious living. Parkinson’s slowed her ever-busy lifestyle and she spent her last years in the loving care of her son, Patrick and daughter-in-law Phyllis, and, finally, with the kind and professional staff of Daughters of Sarah Senior Community.
Mrs. Scannell was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, and her brother, Warren Walker. She is survived by: her children, Michael and his partner Joan Harris, MaryAnna Scannell, Jeanne Scannell, Nessa Warner, Patrick Scannell and his wife Phyllis, Althea Bilodeau, Helen Mongillo and her husband Brett, and their families.
In lieu of flowers, donations to the National Parkinson’s Foundation at http://parkinson.org/ are suggested.
Ashley M. Trotti (1992 – 2017)
ALBANY—Ashley M. Trotti, 25, of Germantown died November 20, 2017 at Albany Medical Center.
Born January 9, 1992 in Rhinebeck, she was the daughter of Joe and Kelly (Benoit) Trotti.
Ms. Trotti graduated from the Germantown Central School in 2010 and from Columbia-Greene Community College with a degree in applied science. She worked at Hannaford in Livingston.
She enjoyed baking, music and the computer internet.
Survivors in addition to her parents are: her brother, Dominic Trotti; paternal grandparents, Frank and Maria Trotti; maternal grandparents, Roland and Shelia Benoit; several aunts, uncles and cousins.
A celebration of her life will be held Saturday, November 25 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Yadack-Fox Funeral Home, 209 Main Street, Germantown, with services at 5 p.m.
Memorial donations are requested to the Boston Children’s Heart Center, 300 Longwood Avenue, Boston, MA 02115
Condolences may be expressed at yadackfox.com
James A. Robinson (1926 – 2017)
GHENT—James A. Robinson passed away November 20, 2017 at Whittier Nursing Home.
Born November 22, 1926 in Queens, he was the son of the late James and Valentina Kassel Robinson.
He worked for the New York Telephone Company until retiring to a home he had built in Ghent in 1985. He was very proud of that house.
Mr. Robinson loved woodworking, gardening and stopping at local yard sales for hidden treasures.
He is survived by: his wife, Margaret; children, Robert of Babylon, Laura Mayer of Ghent, Linda of North Haven, CT, Richard of Chatham and Diane Manahan of Salem, MA; grandchildren, Jennifer, Andrew, Katie, Brendan, Melanie, Rowan and Charlotte, and his great-grandson, Oliver.
Family will receive friends at the French, Gifford, Preiter and Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham, Friday, November 24 from 4 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, November 25, 11 a.m. at Saint James Church. In lieu of flowers contributions in Mr. Robinson’s memory may be made to Saint James Church. For directions or to convey a condolence visit frenchblasl.com.
Dorothy A. Rubio (1925 – 2017)
ALBANY—Dorothy “Dot” Ann Rubio, 92, of Chatham passed away November 18, 2017 at Albany Medical Center.
She was born in Manhattan May 6, 1925 to the late John G. Cosman and Margeurite M. Griffith.
She graduated from Tenafly High School.
Mrs. Rubio went on to become a dental hygienist. She also did secretarial work for Wright Aeronautical Corporation, Ford Motor Company and Streeters. She worked briefly as a home personal assistant and as an auditor at the Department of Social Services.
On December 24, 1947 in the town of Bethlehem, she was united in marriage to Norman J. Rubio. They relocated from New York City to Chatham where they brought up their four children. Mrs. Rubio enjoyed gentleman farming with her husband, raising rabbits, sheep, chickens, and dogs on their homestead. She loved gardening, reading, knitting, fashion, theater and keeping in touch with friends. Her life was dedicated to the care and nurturing of her family. Mrs. Rubio was a member of NAMI and the Columbia Civic Players. She was a Girl Scout leader and a Warrior with Mando Fights Back.
She is survived by: her sons, Norman J. Rubio (April) of Hendersonville, TN, and Gary J.C. Rubio of Dalton, MA, and daughter, Denise A. Rubio Mason of Chatham; her 12 grandchildren, Bryan G., Shawn M., Justin R. (Ashley), Richard R.E., and Patrick H. Rubio, Daniel J. (Elissa) Andreas, Lora D. (Ariel) Jones, Alyssa N., Steven J. (Lindsay), and Janelle D. Moran, Mercury K., and Normando M. Mason; her 19 great- grandchildren, Jenevive, Dominic, Aiden, Enzo, Clara, Aston, Dorothy, Israel, Basil, Savanna, Troy, Phoenix, Rafaela, Thomas, Victoria, Gabriel, Ella, Alexa and Aiden; nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.
Mrs. Rubio was predeceased by her husband, Norman; daughter, Diane and sister, Joan.
The family extends special thanks to Columbia-Greene Dialysis Center and The Health Care Consortium.
Mrs. Rubio will always be remembered for her captivating singing voice, her dry wit, her enchanting grace and beauty, and her reminiscent stories of a life well-lived. She attributed her longevity to her 76-year commitment to smoking cigarettes. She will be sorely missed and reign supreme in the hearts of all those who loved her.
A wake will be held Monday, November 27, 5 to 7 p.m. at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie. A funeral Mass and burial will be held Tuesday, November 28, 11 a.m. at St. John the Baptist Church in Valatie.
Earl Schultz (1925 – 2017)
ST. SIMONS ISLAND, GA—Earl W. Schultz of St. Simons Island, GA, died November 4, 2017.
He was born January 24, 1925 in Minneapolis, MN.
During World War ll, Mr. Schultz volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army. He attained the rank of staff sergeant with the 260th Regiment, 65th Infantry Division, U.S. Third Army. He was awarded the Bronze Star medal for action in the Rhineland campaign, European Theater.
He was a graduate of the University of Minnesota. His business career was in advertising in New York City where he resided. He also served as a marketing executive for the New York City office of Economic Development.
While residing in Manhattan he also enjoyed weekends in his farm house in Chatham Center.
He relocated to St. Simons Island, GA, five years ago and enjoyed every minute of being there.
Besides Barbara, his best friend and wife for 46 years, he is survived by three children from his marriage to the late Caroline Wilde: Richard of Tokyo, Christopher of Brooklyn and Melissa Long of Nantucket and four granddaughters.
His ashes will be spread at a later date.
Memorials may be made to the Columbia-Greene Humane Society/SPCA, 111 Humane Society Road, Hudson 12534 or a charity of one’s choice.
Teresa F. Slemp (1952 – 2017)
VALATIE—Teresa “Teri” F. Slemp, 65, of Valatie passed away November 21, 2017 at home surrounded by her loving family after a courageous battle with cancer.
She was born in Hudson to Mary and Michael Wasko, January 19, 1952.
She went to Ockawamick High School and graduated in 1970. She worked as the office manager for Rapport law firm for 42 years. For the past four years Ms. Slemp worked as the chief clerk of the New York State Surrogate Court. She enjoyed traveling, cooking, music and dance, gardening, playing cards, sports and especially loved spending time with family and friends.
Ms. Slemp is survived by: her fiancé, Kevin Walsh of Valatie; sons, Samuel Slemp of Valatie and William “Cam” (Charlie) Slemp; grandson, Jack of Ghent; sisters, Mary (Gary) Aldrich and Christine (Paul) Mossman; nephews, Michael (Laura) Rutkowski, Charlie (Andrea) Rutkowski, John (Colleen) Rutkowski, David (Melinda) Rutkowski, Gary (Jennifer) Aldrich, Robert Schermerhorn and Jonathan Mossman; nieces, Marian Rutkowski, Mae (John) Aldrich and Jackie Schermerhorn.
She is also survived by her extended family: Erin Walsh, Keri (Matt) McComb and Alex Walsh and grandsons, Hayden and Benjamin McComb.
She was predeceased by her brothers, Casimer Rutkowski and Joseph Rutkowski and nephew, Robert Rutkowski.
Her family gives special thanks to Alysha Williams, New York Oncology and Hospice for the care they provided.
Calling hours will be held at the Raymond E. Bond Funeral Home, 1015 Kinderhook Street, Valatie, November 28, 2017 from 4 to 8 p.m. A funeral Mass will be held at St. John the Baptist Church, November 29, 11 a.m. with Father George Fleming officiating.
Nelson D. Dickey (1920 – 2017)
HUDSON—Nelson Daniel Dickey, born July 22, 1920 at Johnson City, passed peacefully into eternal rest October 5, 2017 at Hudson.
He is survived by: his daughter, Virginia Dickey Ambrose and son-in-law, Peter J. Ambrose of Hudson; daughter, Patricia N. Dickey of Groton; granddaughters, Abigail Ambrose, Susan Ambrose (Michael), and Margaret Ambrose (Eric); great-grandsons, Olin Ginn and Ryan Ginn; nieces and nephews, Kristina Brainard Register, David Brainard and Roger Brainard. He was predeceased by beloved wife, Frances Ryder Dickey; son, Daniel Francis Dickey; mother, Synette Smith Dickey; father, Harold Owen Dickey; sister- and brother-in-law, Catherine Ryder Brainard and H. Warren Brainard.
Mr. Dickey served in the United States Army in World War II from October 10, 1940 to October 1945, deployed by the National Guard, 104th Field Artillery, Battery B. He was a member of the 27th Division Association, Sarah Jane Johnson Memorial UM Church, the American Legion, a former Johnson City Lion’s Club member for 25 years, and a central New York Eye Bank serviceman (“Minute Man’’ Rapid Response) for 23 years. He was a retired IBM employee (Endicott) and a volunteer at Willow Point Nursing Home. He was also well known for many years as the guy washing pots and pans during the Lords Table meals at Sarah Jane UMC.
Mr. Dickey was a graduate of Johnson City High School and after Army service completed extensive post-graduate work through the IBM training school.
He was a good and decent man who lived all his life by The Golden Rule.
Memorial Service will be held at Sarah Jane Johnson UMC, December 9, at 11 a.m.
Donations for the preservation of the sanctuary stained glass windows in Mr. Dickey’s memory are welcome at Sarah Jane Johnson Memorial UM Church, 308 Main Street, Johnson City 13790-1519.
Leland D. Sawyer, Jr. (1942 – 2017)
EAST CHATHAM—Leland Dwight Sawyer, Jr., 75, of East Chatham passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Thursday, November 23, 2017.
He was born November 4, 1942 in Cobleskill to Ruth Elizabeth Crockett and Leland Dwight Sawyer, Sr.
Mr. Sawyer grew up in Maine and moved to the East Chatham area in the mid 1950s. He was the owner of Chatham Auto Body in Chatham and the former Mace’s Moto Ski. He was an avid snowmobiler and enjoyed collecting gas station memorabilia. He also enjoyed fishing, traveling and spending time with his family.
He is survived by: his wife of 54 years, Mace Irene Eigenbrodt Sawyer; a son, Dennis (Janet) Sawyer of Chatham, and a daughter, Sue (Jim) Charron of Youngsville, NC; four grandsons. Timothy, Nelson, Chad and Chase Charron of Youngsville, NC; a granddaughter, Karsyn Sawyer of Quincy, MA; a great-granddaughter, Addilyn Charron of Youngsville, NC; one brother and five sisters.
Calling hours will be Sunday, November 26 from 1 to 3 p.m. followed by a memorial service at 3:15 p.m. at the French, Gifford, Preiter and Blasl Funeral Home, 25 Railroad Avenue, Chatham. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the Red Rock Volunteer Fire Company, 401 County Route 24, East Chatham 12060. For directions or to convey a condolence visit frenchblasl.com.
