Sullivan County Democrat
O n l i n e  E d i t i o n
www.sc-democrat.com National Award-winning, Family-run Newspaper info@sc-democrat.com
  OBITUARY ARCHIVES Established 1891 Callicoon, New York  
home  |  archives
December 17, 2002

Naomi Friedman, 65

Naomi Parker Friedman of Boca Raton, Fla., a former resident of the Concord in Kiamesha Lake, died Friday, December 13, 2002, after a long, brave battle with cancer. She was 65 years of age.
The daughter of the late Raymond and Clara Winarick Parker, she was a graduate of Brandeis University where she earned a B.A. degree.
She is survived by her husband of 40 years, Dr. Harold Friedman; three children, Rebecca Friedman, Micah Friedman and Betina Farkas; two granddaughters, Natasha and Tatiana Farkas; three brothers, Robert, George and James Parker; a sister, Laurie Parchment; and several nieces and nephews.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home, 186 Broadway, Monticello.
Burial will be made in the Landfield Avenue Synagogue Cemetery in Monticello.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 6725 Lyons St., P.O. Box 7E, East Syracuse, N.Y. 13057.

John McKnight, 49

John McKnight of Loch Sheldrake died Tuesday, December 10, 2002, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. He was 49 years of age.
The son of Catherine Jones, he was born February 21, 1953, in Brooklyn.
In a statement, it was said, "John will be remembered for his kindness, fun-loving spirit and great sense of humor. He will be deeply missed by all those who loved him. His memory will be forever cherished."
He is survived by many friends.
A Mass of Christian Burial was offered Monday at the Church of the Immaculate Conception in Woodbourne with Fr. John Lynch officiating.
Interment was made in the Woodbourne Reform Cemetery in Woodbourne.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Colonial Memorial Funeral Home in Woodbourne.

Frances Shapiro
Retired RN, 76

Frances Bassin Shapiro of South Fallsburg, a retired registered nurse, died Thursday, December 12, 2002, at the Sullivan County Adult Care Center in Liberty. She was 76 years of age.
The daughter of the late Louis and Rebecca Bassin, she was born November 24, 1926, in Monticello. She was the widow of Nathan Shapiro.
Employed as an RN at the former Monticello General Hospital and Hamilton Avenue Hospital, she was a school nurse in the Fallsburg Central School for many years. Mrs. Shapiro had received her training at the West Baltimore General Hospital School of Nursing and received her BS in Nursing at SUNY Oneonta.
Mrs. Shapiro was a member of B'nai B'rith, Hadassah, the Sisterhood of South Fallsburg Hebrew Association, and a volunteer at the Fallsburg Library and the Benjamin Cosor School.
In a family statement, it was said, "She could heal with a laugh and comfort with a smile. Her love will be felt and remembered by the lives she touched."
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Jay and Kathy Shapiro of South Fallsburg; a daughter, Stephanie Sabbath of Kingston; and four grandchildren, Lauren, Jonathan, Seth and Rachel. She was predeceased by a brother, Murray Bassin.
Private graveside services will be held at a later date in the South Fallsburg Hebrew Association Cemetery with Rabbi Isaac Gottlieb officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Family Council of the Sullivan County Adult Care Center, 256 Sunset Lake Road, Liberty, N.Y. 12754 or to the South Fallsburg Hebrew Association, South Fallsburg, N.Y. 12779.
Funeral arrangements were made by the Colonial Memorial Funeral Home in Woodbourne.

James ‘Bob’ Potts
Ret. Surveyor, 94

James "Bob" Potts of Oxford, a retired licensed land surveyor for the Town of Smithtown, L.I., and a former resident of Westbrookville, died Thursday, December 12, 2002, at his home. He was 94 years of age.
The son of the late Julius and Blennie Bolles Potts, he was born January 31, 1908, in Spring House, Pa. He was the widower of Vera Page Potts and Elsie Skinner Grebeldinger Potts.
Mr. Potts was a member and past master of the Oxford Masonic Lodge #175, F.&A.M., and a member of the Kings Park (L.I.) Volunteer Fire Department. He was a 1925 graduate of Ahens Penna High School.
A veteran of the United States Army, he served from 1929 to 1935. He served in the Coast Artillery and then worked with the 29th Engineers of the U. S. Army. He worked as a surveyor in the Brooklyn Navy Yard from 1940 to 1950. He operated Maple View Dairy in Kings Park from 1952 to 1958.
He is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Glenna Potts of Oxford and James and Jeanne Potts of Smithtown; two daughters, Colleen DeLise and her husband, Frank, of Kings Park, and Roberta Kerekes of Middle Island; 11 grandchildren, Janice, Fern, Todd, Scotty, Blyden, Timothy, Shannon, Erin, Courtney, James and Jonathan; and six great-grandchildren.
Services will be held at 1 p.m. Tuesday at the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, 154 E. Main St., Port Jervis, with the Rev. Steven Phillips officiating.
Burial will be made in the Westbrookville Cemetery in Westbrookville.
Memorial contributions may be made to Hospice of Chenango County, 21 Hayes St., Norwich, N.Y. 13815 or to the Oxford Masonic Lodge #175, F.&A.M., P.O. Box 916, Oxford, N.Y. 13830.

Elsie Catanese
Homemaker, 91

Elsie Catanese of Ulster Heights, a homemaker and 87-year area resident, died Wednesday, December 11, 2002, in Fairfax, Va. She was 91 years of age.
The daughter of the late Augustus and Mary Ellen Sheeley DePuy, she was born October 15, 1911, in Ellenville. She was the widow of Floyd VanGorder and Accursio Catanese.
Mrs. Catanese was in an assisted living home in Fairfax, Va., since 1998.
In a family statement, it was said, "She will be remembered for her kind and loving heart, her ready smile, her rugged spirit and her sense of humor."
She is survived by a nephew, Thomas DePuy and his wife, Madeline, of Bloomingburg; a niece, Diane Kanazeh and her husband, Ike, of Ft. Wayne, Ind.; four grandnieces and grandnephews, Bryan Depuy, Carley DePuy, Chuck Kanazeh and Julienne Gordon.
Services were held Monday at the Loucks Funeral Home in Ellenville with the Rev. Eileen Duant officiating.
Burial was made in the Fantinekill Cemetery in Ellenville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Ulster Heights United Methodist Church, Ulster Heights Rd., Ellenville, N.Y. 12428.

Anna Rohrs
Homemaker, 91

Anna "Emma" Rohrs of Horton, a longtime area resident and a homemaker, died Sunday, December 15, 2002, at the Countryside Care Center in Delhi. She was 91 years of age.
The daughter of the late Otto and Sarah Speer Rohrs, she was born October 24, 1911, in New York City.
Miss Rohrs is survived by many dear friends and neighbors.
Friends may call at the Harris Funeral Home, Railroad Ave., Roscoe, on Wednesday from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.
Services will be held at the Horton Brook Free Methodist Church in Horton on Wednesday at 11 a.m. with the Rev. James Persons officiating.
Burial will be made in the Horton Cemetery in Horton in the spring.

James J. Rodgers
Ret. Plant Oper. Mgr., 73

James J. Rodgers of Hawley, Pa., a retired plant operations manager for BASF in Clifton, N.J., a former tool and die maker and a 14-year area resident, died Thursday, December 5, 2002, at the Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, Pa. He was 73 years of age.
The son of the late Leon and Marguerite Rodgers, he was born November 4, 1929, in Brooklyn.
In a family statement, it was said, "He was known for his fine craftsmanship and doing the job right the first time. He was fond of animals, particularly his pets."
Mr. Rodgers is survived by his wife, Corry Rodgers; four daughters, Janine Neukum, Joanne Harz, Anna Rolando and Patricia Fernot; three sons, James Rodgers, Jeff Rodgers and George Rodgers; 16 grandchildren; and a great-grandchild.
A private memorial service was arranged by the Arthur A. Bryant Funeral Home in Honesdale.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Dessin Animal Shelter, Box 3043, Honesdale, Pa. 18431.

Marie Van Valkenburg
Homemaker, 84

Marie Van Valkenburg of Grahamsville, a homemaker and a lifelong area resident, died Saturday, December 14, 2002, at the Seelig Division of the Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 84 years of age.
The daughter of the late Harold and Maude Whipple Countryman, she was born November 26, 1918. She was the widow of David Van Valkenburg.
Mrs. Van Valkenburg was a member of the Sundown United Methodist Church.
She is survived by six children, David Van Valkenburg, Ronald Van Valkenburg, Gary Van Valkenburg, Karl Van Valkenburg and Ellen Delgatto, all of Grahamsville, and Sharon Foss of Hernando Beach, Fla.; seven grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Loucks Funeral Home, Route 209, Ellenville, on Tuesday from 9 to 11 a.m.
Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Tuesday at the funeral home with the Rev. Lorraine Coscia Ackerman officiating.
Burial will be made in the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery in Grahamsville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Sundown United Methodist Church, Grahamsville, N.Y. 12740.

Floyd Krom Sr.
Ret. Truck Driver, 84

Floyd Krom Sr. of Ellenville, a retired truck driver for Binder's Produce in Ellenville and a lifelong area resident, died Saturday, December 14, 2002, at the Firemen's Home in Hudson after a long illness. He was 84 years of age.
The son of the late Jerry and Edna Crawford Krom, he was born December 9, 1918, in Napanoch. He was the widower of Doris Krom.
Mr. Krom was a life member of Kimble Hose Co. #1 in Ellenville.
He is survived by a daughter, Patricia A. Comfort of Northport, Fla.; three sons, Floyd Krom Jr. of Stamford, Conn., Peter J. Krom of Northport, Fla., and Paul S. Krom of Wurtsboro; two brothers, Sanford Krom of Napanoch and Herman Krom of Ellenville; 21 grandchildren; 24 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a daughter, Donna Jean Davis, a son, Robert Allen Krom, and two sisters, Hazel and Bertha.
Friends may call at the Loucks Funeral Home, Route 209, Ellenville, on Tuesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
Services will be held at the funeral home on Wednesday at 1 p.m. with the Rev. Jay Vogelaar officiating.
Burial will be made in the Pine Bush Cemetery in Kerhonkson.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Firemen's Home, 125 Harry Howard Ave., Hudson, N.Y. 12534.

Helen Sutherland
Homemaker, 85

Helen King Sutherland of Monticello, a homemaker and lifelong area resident, died Saturday, December 14, 2002, at her home. She was 85 years of age.
The daughter of the late Joseph and Alice Murran King, she was born June 27, 1917, in Monticello. She was the widow of Vincent F. Sutherland who died November 8, 1993.
Mrs. Sutherland graduated from Monticello High School and Spencer School of Business in Kingston. She was previously employed at the National Union Bank in Monticello, the Wallkill Prison and the New York Telephone Company in Ossining and Hudson. She was a member, lector and Eucharistic Minister of St. Peter's R.C. Church in Monticello and a member of the County Vicariate.
She is survived by a son and daughter-in-law, Fred and Linda Sutherland of Germantown; a grandson, Fred E. Sutherland of Boston, Mass.; a brother and sister-in-law, Richard and Maureen King of Mt. Pleasant, S.C.; two sisters and brothers-in-law, Eleanor and Al Scarvalone of Monticello and Mary and Joseph Vincitore of Vero Beach, Fla.; a sister-in-law, Roma Sutherland of Liberty; and several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by three brothers, James, Joseph and Thomas King.
Friends may call at the VanInwegen-Kenny Funeral Home, 195 Broadway, Monticello, on Friday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Saturday at St. Peter's R.C. Church, Broadway and Liberty St., Monticello, with Fr. Timothy Wiggins officiating.
Burial will be made in St. Peter's Cemetery in Monticello.
Memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Charities, c/o St. Peter's Church, 10 Liberty St., Monticello, N.Y. 12701.

David Jaffe, 91
Ret. Poultry Farmer

David Jaffe of Glen Wild, a retired poultry farmer and Town of Thompson building inspector, died Thursday, December 12, 2002, at his home. He was 91 years of age.
The son of the late Simon and Rebecca Jaffe, who immigrated to Glen Wild from Lithuania in 1904, he was born October 4, 1911, in Glen Wild. He was the widower of Ann Shulman Jaffe who died in 1994 after 42 years of marriage.
Mr. Jaffe was a lifelong activist on behalf of social justice. A World War II veteran, he served in the 77th Infantry Division in Guam, Okinawa and Leyte and was awarded a Purple Heart.
He participated in founding the Rock Hill Volunteer Fire Department and served as the first chairman of its board of commissioners, continuing on the board as chairman and commissioner for more than 24 years. Mr. Jaffe was a member of the Congregation Anshei Glen Wild of which his father was a founding member in 1913.
Mr. Jaffe is survived by a brother and sister-in-law, Abe and Sadie Jaffe of Glen Wild; two brothers-in-law, Abe Novogrodsky of Miami, Fla., and Harry Schulman of Rockville, Md.; a niece, Naomi Jaffe of Troy; three nephews, Eugene Novogrodsky of Brownsville, Tex., Bernard Jaffe of Tamworth, Ontario, and Charles Novogrodsky of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; and numerous other nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews. He was predeceased by a sister, Sadie Jaffe Novogrodsky, who died in 1995.
Services were held Sunday at the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home in Monticello.
Burial was made in Congregation Anshei Glen Wild Cemetery in Glen Wild.
Shiva was observed at the Jaffe home in Glen Wild.
Memorial donations may be made to the Rock Hill Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Rock Hill, N.Y. 12775.

Marjorie Dymond
Homemaker, 67

Marjorie Barbara Gray Dymond of Sundown, a longtime area resident, died Sunday, December 15, 2002, at her home. She was 67 years of age.
The daughter of the late Monsenor and Iclean Gray, and step-child to the late Olive Gray, she was born May 8, 1935, in Liberty. She was the widow of Albert Dymond.
In a family statement, it was said "Marge, as she was known, was an outstanding woman, a loving and caring mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. All who knew her will dearly miss her, and she will always remain in our hearts. She was an angel on earth and now she is an angel in heaven!"
She is survived by four sons, Albert Dymond of Poughkeepsie, Herbert Dymond and Earl Dymond, both of Sundown, and Karl Dymond of Claryville; three daughters, Sharon Fuller and Mary Warren, both of Sundown, and Patricia Delahanty of Woodbourne; a sister, Patricia Dymond of Sundown; eight grandchildren, Donald Mitchell, Jason Mitchell, Heather Mohr, Sharon Fuller, Steven Warren, Jessica Shultis, Bryan Warren and Nicole Delahanty; three great-grandchildren, Cheyenne Mitchell, Savannah Mitchell and Connor Mitchell; and many nieces and nephews. She will be missed by her pets and companions, Tara, Tubby and Luey. She was predeceased by a sister, Ida Gray.
Friends may call at the Loucks Funeral Home, Route 209, Ellenville, on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Services will be held at 8 p.m. Wednesday evening.
Cremation will be private.
Private burial will be made in the spring.

Ida Hobart
Homemaker, 78

Ida Hobart of Binghamton, a former Liberty resident, died Sunday, December 15, 2002, at River Mede Manor in Binghamton. She was 78 years of age.
The daughter of the late George and Sadie Hobart, she was born in Herrick Center, Pa., on August 22, 1924.
She is survived by many nieces and nephews.
Friends may call at the Ramsay's Funeral Home, 275 S. Main St., Liberty, on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m.
Services will be held at the funeral home at 8:30 p.m. Wednesday with the Rev. Robert C. Nadelen officiating.
Cremation will be made at the Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope.

Marjorie Dirig
Homemaker, 77

Marjorie Elizabeth Maxson Dirig of French Woods, a homemaker and lifelong area resident, died Monday, December 16, 2002. She was 77 years of age.
The daughter of the late Mabelle and Ellis Maxson, she was born August 21, 1925, in Lanesboro, Pa.
From the fall of 1943 to 1944, she worked at the Bendix Aviation Corp. in Sidney, constructing airplane parts. She attended SUNY at Potsdam from the fall of 1945 to 1947, studying music and elementary education. In addition to organizing and maintaining her household, Mrs. Dirig was very active in community groups throughout her life.
In a family statement, it was said, "She was a devoted wife, parent and friend, cheerful of disposition, appreciative of natural beauty, generous and kind, with good will toward all people, animals and things outdoors. She is remembered with joy and gratitude for a life well lived in God's grace and filled with love."
She is survived by her husband of 54 years, Francis Dirig, at home; five children and their spouses, Robert Dirig of Ithaca, Rodney and Dianne Dirig and their sons, David and Adam, of Wells Bridge, Bette and Patrick O'Brien and their son, Patrick, of Hancock, John and Denise Dirig and their sons, Jonathan, Shane and Ryan of Pea Brook, and Matthew Dirig and Sharon of Binghamton; a sister, Ruth M. Nevin of Pea Brook; two brothers, Patrick Maxson of Roscoe and Dennis Maxson and his wife, Clare, of Callicoon; four sisters-in-law, Barbara Dirig and Catherine Barron of French Woods, Sister Helen Dirig of Shamokin, Pa.; and Mary Willis and her husband, Ed, of Brookville, Pa.; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may call at the Henderson-Biedekapp Funeral Chapel in Hancock on Wednesday from 6 to 9 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10:30 a.m. Thursday at Holy Cross Church in Callicoon.

top of page  |  home  |  archives