Bonnie Szawiola

Bonnie (Chudik) Szawiola went to be with her Lord on Sunday, January 29, 2012. Though fiercely fighting lupus and other health issues for many years, she never lost her faith in her Savior, Jesus Christ, nor her deep love for her family and friends.
Born in Englewood, NJ, on February 16, 1947, Bonnie was the oldest of John and Gladys Chudik’s four children. She spent much of her life in New Jersey, where she met her husband Brian, to whom she was married 33 precious and wonderful years. The duo formed a ministry, Open Doors, and hit the streets to reach out in God’s love to troubled youth, drug addicts, the homeless and anyone needing a helping hand and caring friend.
They brought that love and dedication to Sullivan County, moving to Mileses in 1974 with the birth of their only child, daughter Naomi Grace. Through her church, Hankins Assembly of God, Bonnie continued ministering to adults and young people, memorably leading her teenage team of Scripture scholars to numerous “Bible Quiz” competitions. Her enthusiasm, sense of humor and empathy especially endeared her to children and young adults, who found (often to their own surprise) an instant friend and confidante, despite the age difference.
Bonnie, being a child of the ‘60s, was also fond of flowers, tending to a garden at her Mileses home, and enjoyed arts and crafts. She loved animals, always knew the right words to say (and how to spell them!), and was ecstatic to become a grandmother for the first time just last year.
Though her heart ultimately gave out, her love and kindness continue to live on in the hearts of her husband, Brian; their daughter, Naomi and husband Aaron Houghtaling; her granddaughter, Dylan; her sister Robin McElroy and family Sheri Colleen, Justin and Kevin; her brother John Chudik and family Ellen, Danielle, Colleen, and John; her sister Laurie Masten and family John, Annalise, and John III; and the many friends and brothers and sisters in the Lord that Bonnie met throughout her 64 years.
Bonnie is now alive and well with her Lord in heaven, and at the family’s request, no funeral will be held.
But those whom she touched know she would very much want us to gather to celebrate her life and the bonds she forged between and among us. Such a gathering in her memory will be held this Saturday, February 11, at 1 p.m. at Hankins Assembly of God, with Pastor Campbell Lumbila presiding. Per Bonnie’s example, all are welcome.
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart. Lean not to your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He will direct your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6.

Rose Marie Kaufmann
April 12, 1915 - February 4, 2012

Rose Marie Kaufmann of Damascus, PA, a former employee of the Upper Delaware Campground in Callicoon, N.Y., died on Saturday, February 4, 2012, at her home in Damascus. She was 96.
Daughter of the late George Otto and Rosine Fackelmann McGowan, she was born on April 12, 1915 in Maspeth Queens, New York. Rose was the widow of Albert Francis Kaufmann.
Rose will long be remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, great grandmother and a very proud great-great grandmother.
Surviving Rose are her son Albert George Kaufmann and his wife, Gladys; her grandchildren Mary Jean Joyal and her husband Paul, and their children Shannon, Nicolas and René; Thomas Kaufmann and his wife Regina, and their children Kelly and husband Will and daughter Paige, Thomas, Daniel and his wife Quinn, Kristen and Hilary; Albert Kaufmann and his wife Caroline, and their children Christine, Matthew and Colleen; Joan Smith and her husband David, and their children Michael and Kathryn; Steven Kaufmann and his wife Debra, and their children Emily and Jenna; Caroline Patterson and her husband Gary, and their children Abigail, Cassidy and Lukas. Rose is also survived by several nieces and nephews.
Visitation was held on Monday, February 6, at Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Callicoon, and will be held on Tuesday, February 7, at Flinch and Bruns Funeral Home, 34 Hempstead Avenue, Lynbrook, from 7 to 9 p.m. The Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, February 8, at 9:30 a.m. at Our Lady of Peace Church, 25 Fowler Avenue, in Lynbrook. Burial will be in Mount Olivet Cemetery in Maspeth Queens, New York.
Memorial contributions in memory of Rose Marie may be made to the charity of one’s choice.
Funeral arrangements by Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home Inc., Callicoon, New York.

Patrick Norton
Self-employed handyman, 63

Patrick Norton, of Hortonville, a self-employed handyman and longtime area resident, died on Thursday, February 2, in Callicoon. He was 63.
Son of the late Peter and Rhoda Norton, he was born on November 18, 1948, in Yonkers, N.Y.
Survivors include his fiancé Gizell Gebrieh, at home; his daughter Shannon Norton; his son Peter Norton and his wife, Susan; two grandchildren: Amaya Burgess and Peter Norton Jr.; and two step-children, Bridget and Beth Gebrieh, and a sister, Susan Buonocore.
Visitation was held on Sunday, February 5, at Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Callicoon. Funeral services were held on Monday, February 6, at the funeral home.
Burial was in the Hortonville Cemetery, Hortonville.
Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, or to the charity of one’s choice.

Richard D. Fitch
July 12, 1928 - February 3, 2012

Richard D. Fitch of Cochecton, NY, passed away on Friday, February 3, 2012. The son of the late Irving H. Fitch and Marguerite E. Huggler Long, he was born on July 12, 1928 in Rochester, N.Y.
Richard was a member of the United States Air Force. Prior to his retirement, he was the owner of Richard’s Inn, in Jeffersonville, N.Y. He was a member of the Masonic Lodge of Callicoon, and a member of the Stony Brook Hunting Club.
Richard was happiest hunting and playing cards with all his camp buddies, and always looked forward to the annual camp picnic. He will miss them all very much. Richard’s other passion was his love for antique cars, which he collected; he would always say “nothing beats a 1937 Ford Coupe”. He went to as many car shows as he could, and was classified with his friends, as members of the Sullivan County “Hot Rod” group.
Survivors include his wife, Jewell Fitch, at home; one son, R. David Fitch (Robin) of West Winfield, N.Y.; two daughters, Susan Bodenstein (David) of Jeffersonville, and Joy Finn (James) of Kenoza Lake; seven grandchildren: Todd (Samantha), Justin, and Kaitlyn Fitch; Jason (Sandra) and Michael Ahnstrom; Jimmy and Erin Finn; five great grandchildren: Tanner, Alexis, Hailey, Hannah and Hunter.
Visitation was held on Monday, February 6, at Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home in Jeffersonville. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, February 7, at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Reverend William Chellis will officiate. Burial will be in the Lutheran Cemetery, Jeffersonville. Graveside services will be private.
Contributions in Richard’s memory may be made to the Jeffersonville Ambulance Corps, Jeffersonville, NY, or the charity of one’s choice.
Arrangements are under the direction of Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Jeffersonville, NY 845-482-4280.