Frank Mathews of Glen Wild, passed away peacefully surrounded by his family Tuesday, September 12, 2006 at Achieve Rehabilitation and Nursing Home in Liberty. He was 91.
The son of the late Louis and Mamie Mathews, he was born August 17, 1915 in Brooklyn. He was recently widowed by his beloved wife of 67 years, Muriel Mathews.
After thirty years with the N.Y.C. Transit Authority as a bus driver with a distinguished safety record, Frank retired and moved with his wife to Glen Wild. During their 35 years here they bought and operated Hidden Lake Cottages. After his retirement he worked for Woodridge Oil and Jim Elliott’s Truck & Tractor Sales.
Frank was always involved with animals and the land. He raised and cared for animals for the pleasure of his grandchildren. His grandchildren nicknamed him “Dr. Doolittle,” because he had a lifelong gift of being able to “talk” to the animals.
A message from his family: “Frank gave us the gift of love and respect for nature and the belief that we are all conservators of this earth. May we all stay true to this ideal for this and succeeding generations.”
He is survived by his sons, Robert Mathews and his wife, Rose Mary, of Glen Wild and Frank J. Mathews and his wife, Susan, of Cranford, N.J.; his daughter, Muriel Robbins of Greensburg, Pa.; his son-in law, Ray Covey of Brooklyn; five grandchildren, Christopher Mathews and his wife, Caryn, of Grahamsville, Maureen McCleish and her husband, Robert, of Cranbury, N.J., Amanda Burzynski and her husband, Mark, of Bloomfield, N.J., Brian Robbins and his wife, Leslie, of Greensburg, Pa., and Stefanie Covey and her fiancée, Chris Frates, of Denver, Colo.; four great-grandchildren, Ashlyn Mathews, Gillian Mathews, Oren Burzynski and Curtis McCleish; and many nieces and nephews. He was predeceased by a daughter, Maureen Mathews Covey; his son, Brian Mathews; his brothers, Robert, Edward and Louis Mathews; and his sisters, Edith Cable and Amanda Schreiber.
Friends may call Saturday, Sept. 16 from 2 to 5 p.m. at the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home, 401 Broadway in Monticello.
A funeral service will follow at 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Rev. Bonnie Pinto will officiate.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, 5005 LBJ Fwy., Ste. 250, Dallas, TX 75244 (888-888-3317) or to The Nature Conservancy, Attn: Treasury, 4245 N. Fairfax Dr., Suite 100, Arlington, VA 22203, (800-628-6860).

Leonard “Len” Miret of Jeffersonville, died Monday, Sept. 11, 2006 at home surrounded by his wife, children and family after a six year battle with cancer. He was 38.
The son of Elizabeth “Betty” and Leonard Miret, he was born June 1, 1968 in Queens. The family moved to Miami, Fla. while Len was a young boy. Len graduated from the University of South Florida in 1992. He met Cathleen Mullally in Miami in 1994 and they were married in Cathleen’s home town of Jeffersonville in 2000. Len was very enthusiastic about his job as a salesperson for Federal Express.
He was a strong individual, a hard worker, a supportive friend, and most of all, the highest ideal of what a father and a loving husband should be. He gave 100 percent as a husband and father, and he never took anything for granted. He loved to make people happy and make a difference in someone’s life. He once said that “we’ll never be millionaires because my family is too important to me and my work will never be as important.”
Although Len was a member of the Jeffersonville community for only six years, he felt so lucky to be part of it. He enjoyed being involved with coaching high school and American Youth Soccer, and he came to love his adopted small town for its people. The love and support he received during his illness was overwhelming and he was very thankful.
Len is survived by his wife of 11 years, Cathleen Mullally-Miret; his children, Caitlin, 10, Lenny, 9, and Patrick, 6; his mother and father, Betty and Leonard Miret; his sister, Betty Ann Miret; his father and mother-in-law, Tim and Helen Mullally; his sisters-in-law, Meaghan Mullally-Gorr, and Eileen and Maura Mullally; his brothers-in-law, Timothy Mullally, Matt Mullally and James Gorr; a nephew, Michael Miret-Andre; and a niece, Grace Gorr.
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, Sept.15 at St. George’s Catholic Church in Jeffersonville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Nicholas Mootz Fund, c/o Penny Ackerman, 18 Loundsbury Road, Cochecton, NY 12726. This fund benefits 15-year-old Nicholas Mootz, who is battling cancer himself.
Arrangements are by the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Inc.

Nancy Condro of Rock Hill passed away on Wednesday, September 13, 2006 at the Skilled Nursing Unit of Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris. She was 82.
The daughter of Nunzio and Angelina Giamboi Citardi, she was born on April 18, 1924 in Brooklyn.
She was an account manager at First Federal of Rochester in Brooklyn. She married Peter Condro on June 4, 1949. She was member of St. Peter’s Church in Monticello.
Survivors include her husband, Peter at home; a son, Dr. Peter Condro Jr. and his wife, Alice of Richmond, Va.; two daughters, Maryann Skaff and her husband, John of Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.; and Dr. Nancy Condro and her husband, Edward Schanil of Rock Hill; two brothers, Martin Citardi of New Rochelle and Joseph Citardi and his wife, Carmela of Greenwich, Conn.; a sister, Catherine LoPresti and her husband, Phillip of Sterling, Va.; three grandchildren, Grace, Claire and Charles Condro and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
Friends may call at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, 55 St. John St., Monticello on Friday, September 15 from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Peter’s Church in Monticello on Saturday, September 16 at 11 a.m. Rev. Robert Ginel will officiate.
Burial will be in St. Peter’s Cemetery in Monticello.
Memorial contributions may be made to the SNU Family Council, P.O. Box 800, Harris, NY 12742 or to the St. Peter’s Building Fund, 10 Liberty St., Monticello, NY 12701.

A Memorial Service celebrating the life of Edythe Johnson was held on Sunday, September 10 at the Callicoon United Methodist Church. The service focused on a Love Feast which is a Christian fellowship meal recalling the meals Jesus shared with his disciples. The theme centered on needlework and knitting, a pastime that Edythe enjoyed along with crossword puzzles. Some of her needlework and knitted hats were displayed. The tables were adorned with lighted candles at each place, knitting needles and different colored knitting yarn. Many of her church family and friends along with her nephew, Allen and his wife from Vernon were in attendance.

Mary C. (Pagano) Dieli of New Windsor, passed away on Monday, September 11, 2006 at Kaplan Family Hospice Residence, Newburgh. She was 88.
The daughter of the late Carmelo and Marie Cosentino Pagano, Mary was born January 16, 1918 in Newburgh.
Family Statements: “Mom was a loving, caring, gentle individual. She was selfless in everything she did. We pray she is in a better place looking down on us and watching over us. She was the best mother, grandmother, a great grandmother and a friend. We will miss her dearly.”
Mary is survived by her son, Frank Dieli of Beacon; two daughters, Joan Dieli of New Windsor and Donna Dieli of Monticello; three grandchildren, Cariann Balsamello, Charlie Balsamello and Heather Chodorov; a great grandson, Jakob and several nieces and nephews.
Mary was predeceased by her sister, Carrie Aronchick; and two brothers, Angelo and Sam Pagano.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, September 15, 2006 at 10:30 a.m. in St. Francis Church, Newburgh.
Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, New Windsor.
Funeral arrangements are under the care of Anthony V. Cracolici of the Hudson Valley Funeral Home Inc.

Anne P. DeMarco of Newburgh, a lifetime area resident, passed away September 8, 2006 at Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla. She was 68.
Anne was born on July 14, 1938 in New Windsor. She was the daughter of John J. Vesley, Sr. and Valeria Svitak.
Anne worked for many years at Mt. St. Joseph Sisters of the Presentation in New Windsor.
A family statement read: “Ann was a loving mother, grandmother and aunt.”
Survivors include her son, Lance DeMarco of New Windsor, Shane DeMarco of Maine and John DeMarco of New Windsor; brother, John Vesley of Walden; sisters, Mary Clemons of Jackson, Miss., and June Guerino of Bloomingburg; eleven grandchildren; three great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Service will be held on Friday, September 15, 2006 at 8 a.m. at Mt. St. Joseph Sisters of the Presentation, 880 Jackson Avenue, New Windsor.
A burial of the cremains will follow at St. Francis Cemetery, New Windsor.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Sisters of the Presentation, 880 Jackson Avenue, New Windsor, NY, 845-564-6620.
Arrangements are by David T. Ferguson Funeral Home, 20 North Street, Washingtonville.

Danna R. Shay Doolittle of Bloomingburg, a homemaker and lifelong resident of the area, died Monday, September 11, 2006 at home. She was 50.
The daughter of Donald Erwin and Ruth Buela Seeley Shay, she was born on February 4, 1956 in Middletown.
Survivors include her husband, Ronald Charles Doolittle, Jr. at home; her daughters, Tammy Doolittle of New York and Kimberly Doolittle at home; as well as her sisters, Patricia Shay of Middletown and Gina Fairfield of Monticello and many friends and loved ones.
Funeral Services will be held at 11 a.m. on Friday, September 15, 2006 at the Circleville Presbyterian Church in Circleville. The Rev. Leo Jaloszynski will officiate.
Burial will be at Circleville Cemetery in Circleville.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests monetary memorial contributions.
Arrangements by DeWitt Funeral Home, Pine Bush.

Marie Louise “Grandmere” Roe, of Warwick, formerly Spring Valley and Walker Valley, died at home on September 11, 2006, with her loved ones by her side. She was 99 years old.
She was born on August 19, 1907 in Kerzao, France to Bertram and Clara Boulidor, and was the longest living of nine siblings. Marie was predeceased by her husband, Herve Roe.
Marie is survived by her loving and caring daughter and son-in-law, Rita and George Rhein, who provided the most wonderful care possible to our Grandmere. Also surviving are her grandchildren, George Rhein and his wife, Liz, of Warwick, Glenn Rhein and his wife, Karen, of Warwick, Suzanne Delaney of Bloomingburg, and Jack Delaney of Middletown; eight grandchildren; one beautiful, wide-eyed, great-great-grandson.
Marie’s wish was to have no visitation. A Funeral Mass was held on Thursday, September 14, at St. Anthony’s R.C. Church, Nanuet.
Interment will follow in St. Anthony’s Cemetery.
“For those of you who can remember Marie on the golf course in Walker Valley, we’re sure you can remember her keen eye when it came to finding those golf balls, her knack for catching those cart thieves and her ability to enjoy a party like the rest of us!”
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.
Arrangements are under the direction of Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home,Warwick.

Catherine F. Kretzmer, a retired Registered Nurse and longtime resident of the area, died Tuesday, September 12, 2006, at her home in Glen Wild. She was 94.
The daughter of the late Henry Hautau and Catherine Fay Hautau, she was born September 17, 1911 in Englewood, N.J.
Mrs. Kretzmer was a member of St. Peter’s Church in Monticello and the Presentation Church in Upper Saddle River, N.J. She was the widow of George E. Kretzmer, who predeceased her on January 21, 2004.
She is survived by a daughter, Catherine Carpenter of Glen Wild; three grandchildren, Greg Kuchar, Phillip Kuchar and Jillian Kuchar, all of Glen Wild; four great-grandchildren, Katelyn, Lacy, Ryan and Brittney; and several nieces and nephews, and great-nieces and nephews.
In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by three brothers and a sister.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, September 15 at 10 a.m. at St. Peter’s Church, Broadway and Liberty Street in Monticello. Fr. Robert Ginel will officiate.
Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Cemetery in Monticello.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550, or to the Rock Hill Ambulance Corps, P.O. Box 1, Rock Hill, NY 12775.
Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Monticello.

Ludwig “Opa” Schnitzer, the former owner of The Old Valley Restaurant in Wurtsboro, died August 27, 2006 in Leesburg, Fla. He was 80.
The son of the late Heinriech Schnitzer and Elisabeth Groten Senkus, he was born May 29, 1926 in Düsseldorf, Germany.
He is survived by his wife, Ursula Schnitzer of Leesburg, Fla.; two sons, Michael Schnitzer and his wife, Kathy, of Wurtsboro and Ludi Schnitzer and his wife, Nicole, of Wurtsboro; two daughters, Edith Moore of Bullville and Joanne Mullen and her husband, Terry, of Wurtsboro; eleven grandchildren, Bianca, Alissa, Erin, Michael, Lisa, Christina, Tara, Terry, Lexi, Danielle and Kyle; and three great-grandchildren, Mahalla, Zoe and Shannon.
He was predeceased by his first wife, Elisabeth Steckroth Schnitzer.
Visitation will be held on Friday, September 15, from 7-9 p.m. at the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral home, 111 Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro.
A Memorial Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, September 16, at 10 a.m. at St. Joseph’s Church, Sullivan Street in Wurtsboro. Fr. Peter Madori will officiate. Burial of his ashes will follow in the Sylvan Cemetery in Wurtsboro.
Memorial contributions may be made to the Mamakating First Aid Squad, P.O. Box 525, Wurtsboro, NY 12790, or to the Wurtsboro FD, POB 442, Wurtsboro, NY 12790.