Frances Wheeler (1926 – 2019)
PHILMONT—Frances Wheeler, 92, of Greenport passed away Thursday, September 5, 2019 at Pine Haven Nursing Home. She was born November 19, 1926 in Catskill, one of six children, to Salvatore and Elizabeth (DeJoy) Prestigiacomo.
She was a graduate of Catskill High School, and worked for more than 20 years at Norstar Bank as a teller.
In 1990, she retired to spend more time with her two grandsons. She had a love for family and friends, and enjoyed entertaining them. She was also instrumental in starting the Salvation Army Soup Kitchen in Hudson.
Mrs. Wheeler was able to keep very busy in retirement, by donating her time to the Columbia Memorial Hospital Ladies Auxiliary, the Hudson Junior Service League, the Hudson railroad snack bar and was a member of the United Methodist Women church council. She was a longtime and devoted parishioner of Trinity United Methodist Church. Over the years she was involved in various capacities within the church; including the finance and nominating committee and led many fundraisers.
Mrs. Wheeler is survived by: her two children, Nancy (Edward) Ziemba and David (Stephanie) Wheeler; her two grandsons, David and Michael Wheeler; brothers, Nate (Beverly) Prest and Andrew (Dorothy) Prest and her sister, Michelina (Bill) Macarelli.
She was predeceased by her husband, Arthur Wheeler, and two sisters, Patrina “Pat” Houghtaling and Millie Bryce.
Funeral services will be held Tuesday, September 10, 2019, 11 a.m. from Trinity United Methodist Church, 555 Joslen Boulevard, Greenport. Interment will follow in Cedar Park Cemetery. Visitation will be Monday evening, September 9 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Bates & Anderson – Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson.
Donations in Mrs. Wheeler’s memory may be made to Trinity United Methodist Church or to Community Hospice of Columbia & Greene Counties.
Mary V. Staats (1924 -2019)
HUDSON—Mary V. Staats, 95, peacefully passed away September 6, 2019 in the comfort of her home.
Born in Hudson, she was the daughter of the late Frank and Virginia Martino.
She attended Martin Van Buren High School in Kinderhook. She worked for various clothing manufacturers as a seamstress for many years until retirement.
She was an awesome cook and baker and took pleasure in making meals and desserts for her family. She enjoyed watching the Yankees and Dodgers on TV. A trip to Troy to see a Valley Cats baseball game on the Fourth of July and watch the fireworks afterward was a favorite tradition. She liked playing cards (rummy) with her family and was still very competitive at age 95. She also enjoyed doing the daily “Jumble” in the newspaper, as well as working on crossword and Sudoku puzzles. Reading was also a favorite pastime. She was a longtime communicant at St. Mary’s Church.
Mrs. Staats is survived by: her sons, Eddie (Rhonda Pells) of Troy and Dave (Cecile Nabozny) of Greenport; grandchildren, Joe (Jill Hengey) Staats of Big Flats, Shane (Meryl D’Atri) Staats of Clifton Park, Nicole (David) Moon of Chatham, Emily Staats of Cairo; great-grandchildren, Jacob and Sarah Staats of Big Flats and Austin and Parker Staats of Clifton Park.; her sister, Jennie Fiero; several nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by: Archie, her loving husband of 60 years, who passed in 2009; her sisters, Theresa Van Kuren, Rose Melino and Antoinette Mormile and brothers, Peter, Bruno, Carmen, Louis and Joseph Martino.
Relatives and friends are invited to call Sunday, September 8 from 4 to 6 p.m. at the Bates & Anderson-Redmond & Keeler Funeral Home, 110 Green Street, Hudson. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday, September 9, 1 p.m. from St. Mary’s Church, 429 East Allen Street, Hudson. Interment will immediately follow in Cedar Park Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Mrs. Staats memory may be made to Community Hospice of Columbia / Greene Counties, 47 Liberty Street, Catskill 12414.
Charles A. Benedix (1958 – 2019)
ELIZAVILLE—Charles A. Benedix, Jr., 61, of Elizaville and Fort Lauderdale, FL, passed away surrounded by his family, Tuesday, September 3, 2019 at his home in Elizaville.
Born April 26, 1958 in the Bronx, he was the son of the late Charles A. and Mary (Scholl) Benedix, Sr.
Throughout his career, he worked as a plumber with Union Local #299 based in White Plains.
Well-known by his friends and family as a skilled and ingenious contractor, “Charlie” had skill and vision in renovating his homes.
He loved water, whether it was Twin Lakes in Elizaville, the Hudson River or the Atlantic Ocean. He enjoyed boating and spending time with friends and family.
Mr. Benedix is survived by: his loving and longtime companion and partner, Ken Wegniak of Fort Lauderdale, FL; a sister, Susan Chan of Elizaville; nieces, nephews, countless friends, and colleagues.
In addition to his parents, a sister, Mary Benedix, and his stepfather, Ed Brady, predeceased him.
Friends may call at the Burnett & White Funeral Homes, 7461 South Broadway, Red Hook, Monday, September 16, 2019 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. A memorial service will be held at 2:30 p.m., with Father Richard McKeon officiating.
Memorial donations may be made to the Rosary Hill Home, Hawthorne, in honor of Charles Benedix and Mary Brady.
For directions or to sign the online guest book visit www.Burnett-White.com.
Helene M. Walsh (1938 – 2019)
NORTH CLAVERACK—Helene M. Walsh, 81, of North Claverack, a well-known area pharmacist, passed away after a long illness, September 3, 2019 at her home in the company of her loved ones.
Born June 29, 1938, she was the daughter of the late Helen Baranowska Davis and Joseph E. Davis of Albany.
Raised in Albany, she spent the majority of her life as a resident of Columbia County.
She was a graduate of Philip Livingston High School in Albany and a graduate of the Albany School of Pharmacy in 1961. After graduating pharmacy school, she embarked on a long established career as a licensed pharmacist and worked at all the pharmacies in Hudson. Most of her time was spent working at Westermans, Wardles, McKinstry’s and Sobels. She finished her career at Columbia Memorial Hospital. During her career, she served the Hudson area community for more than 50 years.
An avid reader, gardener and having a dear affection for cats and animals, Mrs. Walsh also enjoyed quiet times and camping in the Adirondacks with her husband, Jerome F. Walsh, prior to his passing in 1998.
Mrs. Walsh is survived by: her siblings, Marlene Andrade of Pennsylvania and John B. Davis of Albany; her sons, Mark Walsh of North Carolina, Stephen Walsh of North Claverack, and Joseph Walsh of Florida; grandchildren, Alesandro Walsh, son of Stephen Walsh of North Claverack, Kaitlyn and Tara, daughters of Joseph Walsh.
A private interment will take place in the near future at the Albany Rural Cemetery in Menands, and a celebration of life gathering will take place in early summer 2020 for friends, family and guests. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Animalkind, 721 Warren Street, Hudson 12534.
