Ethel Irwin Coombe, 98

Ethel Irwin Coombe passed away on December 22, 2010 peacefully at home with her loving children by her side. She was 98.
Ethel was the daughter of the late Joseph and Margaret Shields Irwin, born on July 19, 1912 in Kearny, NJ.
Ethel was a devoted wife to Philip Coombe, to whom she was married for 73 years. She was a loving mother, blessed with many diverse talents; she was a tailor, stone mason, artist, interior decorator, gardener, poet, and quilter as well as an avid reader. She was always an active member of her community and involved in a number of different organizations both locally and in Ridgewood, NJ, where she lived for thirty-two years. She was a member of the Grahamsville Reformed Church, Studio Monday Artists, Claryville Quilters, and a past president of the Shawangunk Garden Club. In her youth she was a star basketball player and was the first women at Kearny High School to receive a varsity letter. She also enjoyed playing golf. For many years she was involved in merchandising and buying.
Ethel was an extraordinary wife, mother, and grandmother; she always made her home a warm and inviting place for all her friends and family to visit. She was loved by all that knew her and will be sorely missed.
She is survived by her five children: three daughters Charlotte Stratton and her husband Vernon; Phyllis Gillette, and Marilyn Stewart and her husband William; two sons Philip Coombe Jr. and his wife Carolyn; and Richard I. Coombe and his wife Phyllis; 19 grandchildren, 38 great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter. Her husband Philip and her son-in-law John Gillette predeceased her.
Burial will be private at the convenience of the family at the family plot in the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery. A memorial celebration of her life will be announced at a later date.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her name can be made to the Daniel Pierce Library and The Time and the Valleys Museum Building Fund, P.O. Box 268, Grahamsville, NY 12740.
Arrangements are under the direction of Louck’s Funeral Home, 79 North Main Street, Ellenville, NY 12428. For further information, please call 845-647-4343.

Freda Engert Robisch, 102

Freda Engert Robisch of Callicoon, the owner of Freda’s Department Store in Callicoon and a lifetime resident, died Monday, December 20, 2010.
The daughter of the late Henry E. and Mamie Brandt Engert, she was born December 4, 1908 in Callicoon. She was the widow of Edward Robisch.
She was a member of the St. Tammany Chapter 492, Order of the Eastern Star, and of St. James Episcopal Church, both in Callicoon.
She is survived by two nieces, Nancy Gross and her husband James, and Judith Highhouse and her husband Ronald; grandnieces, Shannon Harmon and Sarah Field and her husband, Bradley; grandnephews: Jeffrey Highhouse, David Cross and his wife Melissa, Sean Hughes and his wife Tasha, and John Hughes and his wife Candice; eight great-grandnieces and nephews; a very special nephew by marriage who was always there for Freda, Joseph Schultz and his wife Barbara.
Funeral services were held Thursday, December 23, at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, 34 Upper Main St., Callicoon (845-887-4900) with the Rev. Joan LaLiberté officiating.
Burial will be in Callicoon Cemetery, Callicoon.
Memorial contributions may be made to the St. Tammany Chapter 492 OES, c/o Loretta Kratz, 185 Kratz Rd., Callicoon, NY 12723, or Delaware Community Center, PO Box 354, Callicoon, NY 12723.

Donald J. Tate, 88

Donald J. Tate of White Sulphur Springs, a lifelong area resident, died Tuesday, December 21, 2010 at his home. He was 88.
The son of the late Raymond C. and Agnes Hirsch Tate, he was born January 25, 1922 in Callicoon.
Donald served our country in the U.S. Navy during World War II. He was a member of the White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church, and was the second oldest member of the White Sulphur Springs Fire Department, having served for over 60 years. He was a chief lineman for New York State Electric and Gas Company in Liberty, retiring in 1983 after 33 years. He was a member of the Quarter Century Club of NYSEG, and was an avid hunter and fisherman.
Survivors include his wife, Elsie H. Tate, at home; one son, Thomas Tate and his wife Linda of White Sulphur Springs; four grandchildren, Travis Rosencranse and his wife Siobhan of Slingerlands, Erin McKelvy and her husband Jason of Watervliet, Justin Tate of White Sulphur Springs, and Trevor Tate of White Sulphur Springs; two great-granddaughters, Teagan and Caolain; and one nephew, Donald Tate of Tennessee.
He was predeceased by a daughter, Marie T. Rosencrancse; and two brothers, Kenneth Tate and Raymond Tate.
Firematic services were held Wednesday evening, December 22, at the Harris Funeral Home, West Street at Buckley, Liberty.
Funeral services were held Thursday, December 23 at the funeral home, with the Rev. Bridgette LeConey officiating.
Burial with military honors was made in the Laurel Hill Cemetery, White Sulphur Springs.
Memorial contributions in his name may be made to the White Sulphur Springs United Methodist Church, PO Box 308, White Sulphur Springs, NY 12787; to the White Sulphur Springs Fire Department, PO Box 86, White Sulphur Springs, NY 12787; or to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Ct., Newburgh, NY 12550.
Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the Harris Funeral Home, West St. at Buckley, Liberty, NY. 845-292-001 or845-439-5200 or www.Harris-FH.com.