Vivian A. Ropke, 86

Vivian Ropke, formerly of Milanville and Beach Lake, Pa., died on Friday, February 6, 2009 at Diamond Ridge Health & Rehab Center, Lecanto, Florida.
She was born on July 4, 1922 in Milanville, Pa., to the late Anthony and Anna Dumczius Thomas. A loving wife and mother, she is survived by her daughter, Lynn Wachter of Roscoe, NY and her son, Steven Ropke of Homosassa, Fla. as well as two cousins, Joe Dumczius and Donald Carentz of Florida. She was predeceased by her husband of 60 years, Oscar Ropke, and her brother, Alfred Thomas.
Vivian graduated from dietician college in NYC and worked for Bickford and Schrafts there. She then returned to Milanville where she met Oscar, was married and helped her parents manage a boarding house, Hillside Acres. In 1960 the couple bought a dairy farm on the Pa. side of Callicoon, NY and she worked side-by-side with Oscar while also running the boarding house for several summers when her parents passed away. After selling both businesses, Vivian was employed as the Head of Housekeeping at the former Grover M. Hermann Hospital in Callicoon.
She was an active volunteer in the Hospital Auxiliary, Milanville Methodist Church Ladies Aide, and enjoyed fishing in the Delaware River and ponds in Pa. She also enjoyed traveling, reading playing cards, baking (her homemade bread, rolls, cinnamon buns, donuts, and pies were the best), growing, canning and freezing vegetables from their large garden, and swimming in the pool near their condo in Kings Point, Sun City Center, Fla.
In 2007 Vivian became a resident of Diamond Ridge Health & Rehab Center where she was cared for with expertise, kindness and dignity; and for this wonderful care her son and daughter are most appreciative and grateful.
Friends are invited to call on Saturday, February 14, 2009 from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at the Rasmussen Funeral Home, 90 Main St., Narrowsburg, NY 12764.
Funeral service will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home.
Burial will be in Glen Cove Cemetery, Narrowsburg, NY.
Donations in her memory may be made to Catskill Regional Hospital Auxiliary, Grover M. Hermann Division, 8881 Route 97, Callicoon, NY 12723 or to the Alzheimer’s Association, 4108 Lamson Ave., Spring Hill, Fla. 34608.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rasmussen Funeral Home, Narrowsburg, NY 845-252-3901.

Marilyn Rock
Retired Teacher, 82

Marilyn Katherine Weiss Rock of Lee, Mass., the daughter of Frederick J. and Katherine Weltsch Weiss, died on Saturday, January 24, 2009 at Berkshire Medical Center.
She was born in Jeffersonville, NY on August 5, 1926.
She graduated from Cortland State Teacher’s College and earned her Master’s degree in Education from Ithaca College.
A physical education, health teacher and coach, she worked in the Windsor Central Schools over 20 years, retiring in 1983. Marilyn was a pioneer of Title IX for Girls Athletics in the early 1970s, where she founded the Girls Varsity Club. In honor of Marilyn, the “Coach Rock Award” is given each year to a Girls Varsity Basketball player that exemplifies hard work, determination and good sportsmanship; all the things she taught and practiced throughout her life.
Marilyn was active in her community of Windsor and a member of the Presbyterian Church there. An avid card player, Marilyn dearly loved her friends and family and relished spending her time with them.
She was predeceased by her parents, and her brother, F. Elliott Weiss.
She leaves her brother, Gilbert Weiss of Flagstaff, Ariz.; two children, Michael C. Rock and wife Cheryl of Williamsburg, Va., and daughter, Mary K. Bradbury of Lee, Mass., with whom she made her home; her five grandchildren, Erin Rock, Lisa Rock, Adrien Bradbury St. Bernard, Kate Bradbury and Iain Bradbury. Marilyn also leaves her nine nieces and nephews.
Funeral Notice: Services for Marilyn W. Rock will be Sunday, February 15 at 1:00 p.m. at the Windsor Presbyterian Church in Windsor, NY. There will be no calling hours. Burial will take place in Jeffersonville, NY at the family’s convenience.
In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the Berkshire Humane Society in care of Kelly Funeral Home, 3 Main Street, Lee, MA 01238.