Ann Proyect
Journalist, 87

Ann Proyect passed away on May 12, 2008 at the Skilled Nursing Unit facility at Catskill Regional Medical Center, where she always felt at home during her final years. She repeatedly paid tribute to the compassion and the expert care she received from the staff. She was 87.
Ann, who was born and raised in Kansas City, Mo., moved to Woodridge shortly after the end of WWII with her husband Jacob who predeceased her. She was very involved with civic life in Woodridge, serving as an officer of Hadassah during the 1950s as part of a lifelong commitment to the Jewish state.
Ann was also very committed to Jewish values, especially as reflected in the reform Judaism of Temple Sholom in Monticello where she was an enthusiastic member of the congregation for over 20 years. She worked closely with fellow congregant and close companion Victor Gordon in organizing yearly yard sales to benefit the temple.
She was also a journalist who wrote a regular column about Woodridge for local newspapers, including the Sullivan County Democrat at one time.
Ann was well-known for warmth and generosity as well as her sometimes stubborn adherence to the values that sustained her over a lifetime.
She was predeceased by a son, Allen. Her son, Louis Proyect is a resident of Manhattan and a longtime employee of Columbia University.

Diana Reeves Victor

Diana Reeves Victor, a longtime area resident, passed away on Wed. May 14, 2008 at the Westchester Medical Center in Valhalla, NY.
The daughter of the late Herman and Dorothy Cherimonte, she was born in Shelter Island, NY.
“Words have not yet been born into existence that can describe our loss. Diana was born on Shelter Island. Her parents came from Italy where her father was an artist who worked for various churches and his paintings still exist there. Diana was raised and went to school on Shelter Island and graduated being a cheerleader and top in her class. Diana was a highly talented artist whose paintings are cherished. She met her first husband in Greenport LI. She became the top saleswoman in the cosmetics dept. at Abraham & Strauss and was offered the top promotion to run the departments in all their stores, but chose instead to start a family. She was excellent in business and the expression ‘sharp as a tack’ fit her well. Diana moved to Deer Park with her husband and her two children were born there. She led the fight against the development of a huge airport next to her community and won.
“Next in her life she moved to and built a house in Parksville raising her children in the best possible way. Diana opened a successful antique shop in Liberty and decorated many homes with flair and elegance. Diana and her first husband parted ways and she went out on her own path. Diana took her business in a new direction, always using her artist’s eye, innovative ideas, and business sense, taking it to where it is today. She was a leader and the competition was always there to copy her.
“She then met and married her surviving husband Lowell in Sackett Lake, building a house on the lake. She loved her home and friends and the lake community and always looked out for their best interests. Diana became President of the lake association and worked tirelessly at it until her illness prevented it. Diana never backed down from a fight for the right thing her entire life and was always there for her family and friends.
“She fought her last battle against cancer with everything she had with her husband, son and daughter-in-law by her side for a long hard year. The adversary was too strong and could not be overcome to our everlasting sorrow.”
Diana is survived by her husband, Lowell (Bowie) Victor at home; her son Russell Reeves and his wife Denise of Liberty and their two sons Branden and Hunter Reeves, whom she cherished; her daughter, Robin Masnick of Charlestown, West Virginia and her sons, George, Jack and Andrew Nichols; three stepchildren, Chris Victor of South Carolina, Robbie Victor of Sackett Lake and Colette Victor of the Bronx.
Friends may call at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, 55 St. John St. Monticello on Saturday May 17, 2008 from 7-9 p.m. and on Sunday May 18, 2008 from noon to 2 p.m.
Funeral services will be held at the funeral home at 2 p.m.
Burial will follow the service at Liberty Cemetery, Cold Spring Rd. Liberty, NY.
Funeral arrangements by Ramsay’s Funeral Homes Inc. Monticello, NY.

George Lipkowitz
Proprietor, 92

George Lipkowitz passed away on Saturday, May 10, 2008 in Arlington, Virginia. He was 92.
Mr. Lipkowitz, the son of Molly and Nathan Lipkowitz, was born in New York City in 1916 and eventually moved to Sullivan County where he and his brother Leo ran a large dairy farm along Old Route 17 between Harris and Ferndale along with their wives, Phyllis and Elaine. When the construction of Route 17B severed the pasture lands from the barn, the farm was converted fully to Lipkowitz Bungalow Colony which was noted for its children-friendly ambiance and well-maintained grounds. During that time period George also worked as a waiter in the Night Owl Lounge of the Concord Hotel. George served in the Army during WWII and fought under the command of General Mark Clark in North Africa and Italy. A service for George will be held 10 am, May 28th in Arlington National Cemetery. George is survived by his wife, Phyllis who lives in Arlington and his three sons, Kenneth (Arlington), Robert (La Jolla, CA) and David (San Francisco).

Beryl F. Keesler
Waitress, 85

Beryl F. Keesler entered into heaven on Tuesday, May 13, 2008 in the presence of her family. She was 85.
She was born in Cadosia and graduated from Delaware Valley High School. She worked as a domestic and waitress in her adult life. She was also a member of the Abrahamsville United Methodist Church, Abrahamsville, Pa.
Survivors include her children, George Keesler of Liberty, Mary Soliwoda of Johnson City and Linda (David) Kresge of Apalachin; her grandchildren, Nicole Kresge, Jason Kresge; and great-grandchild, Marissa Kresge, all of Appalachin; also survived by her twin sister Beatrice Baston (Robert), Pensacola, Fla. and Mary Tyler (Edwin) of Youngsville; also many cousins, nephews and nieces.
She was predeceased by her parents, Ernest and Eva Brigham, her husband of 44 years, Abe; three brothers, Ernest, Chester and Art Brigham; and her son-in-law, Donald Soliwoda.
The family wishes to express appreciation to Ideal Senior Living Center, especially Tulip and Daisy Courts, for the compassionate care given to our mother during her stay at the Center.
Friends may call May 17 at the Abrahamsville United Methodist Church, Abrahamsville, Pa. from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Services will be at 1 p.m. at the Abrahamsville United Methodist Church. Pastor Jean Blackie will officiate.
Burial will be made in Hillcrest Cemetery in Galilee, Pa.
Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.