Helen S. Kutschera, 93
Lifelong Homemaker and Poultry Farmer

Helen Rose Schmalbach Kutschera of Callicoon, New York, a 73-year resident of Sullivan County, passed away on Saturday, November 10, 2012 after a brief illness at Catskill Regional Medical Center Skilled Nursing Unit, Harris, N.Y. She was 93 years of age.
The daughter of Charles and Anna Retter Schmalbach, both immigrants from the former Austro-Hungarian Empire in Eastern Europe, she was born in the Bronx August 5, 1919. She graduated from Julia Richman High School on East 67th Street and Second Avenue, Manhattan. Helen was an administrative assistant at the New York Post before marrying and moving to western Sullivan County where she was one of the founders and president of the Parent-Teachers Association at Jeffersonville Central School. She was married in New York City and survived her husband of 52 years, Theodore (Ted) Kutschera, a Manhattan native and longtime western Sullivan poultry man and egg producer (Bonnie Poultry Farm) in the 1940s, ’50s and ’60s. He died in 1991. Helen was also predeceased by a brother, Charles L. Schmalbach; a sister, Johanna Yonka Kutschera; and a grandson, Peter Charles Kutschera II.
A family statement reads, “Ever an optimist, Grandma Helen was a true connoisseur of life itself. One couldn’t visit her without being reminded of all that was positive and beautiful about life, or people, or even just the simplest of blessings like a sunny day, the sound of rain on the roof, the smell of goulash simmering on the stovetop or freshly washed sheets hung onto the line, a good book, or a wonderful meal savored with one’s family. Self-educated in the Arts, literature, classical music, opera, the written word, politics, finance, cooking, world religions, doll making, sewing, and gardening, she could converse intelligently about virtually any subject with much finesse. As a world traveler in her mid to late years, Grandma’s postcards home revealed her appreciation of distant lands, cultures, and culinary adventures, written in the beautifully descriptive style of a travel magazine. However, Grandma was probably most content at home in her flower garden, carefully cultivating the blues, purples, and pinks of a Monet masterpiece, with the occasional pop of the crimson oriental poppy. After finishing with her work in the garden soil, she may have encouraged one to sit and talk a while under the shade of the great maple, by the cool water of the pond. Over a glass of her freshly squeezed lemonade, sweetened with real sugar and garnished with mint from her garden, Grandma may have commented on the persistently, vocal croaking of the bullfrogs in the waning remains of the summer afternoon sun and then proceeded to discuss whatever she was currently reading or maybe the news of the day. If it was winter, she would have enticed her company with a cup of hot cocoa, made from scratch and whisked to frothy perfection. Grandma was skilled in all the “old school womanly arts” of which many recognize the value of and are turning back to today. She was passionate, peaceful, thoughtful and devoted family pioneer and lifelong homemaker who selflessly dedicated her long and healthy years to the greatest love of her life: her family. Grandma Helen’s strength, inner calm and indomitable spirit will always be an inspiration to our entire family – young, old and future generations.”
Helen’s many survivors include her three sons: Theodore (Ted) Kutschera of Callicoon, N.Y.; Dr. Peter C. Kutschera, PhD, and his wife Lorena of Albany, N.Y., and Cebu, the Philippines; Thomas C. Kutschera and his wife Nancy of Youngsville, N.Y.; seven grandchildren, Sondra D. Brooks, her husband Jay and their children Amelia and Curtis of Callicoon, N.Y., Timothy C. Kutschera, his wife Alison, and their children Katelyn and Jacob of Warwick, N.Y., Theodore C. Kutschera III, his wife Ashley, and their children Charles, Calley, and Isabella of Callicoon, N.Y., Philip M. Kutschera of Rensselaer, N.Y., and Kenneth Roy Kutschera of Albany, N.Y., Susanne Balfour, her husband Scott, and their children Ryan and Samantha of Mount Hope, N.Y., Lisa Kutschera Zombo and her husband Brian of Youngsville, N.Y., and nieces, Laura Bly of Alexandria, Va., Julia Cartwright of Fond du Lac, Wisc., Linnea Peters of Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Barbara Koch of Powell, Ohio, Lou Kandel of Salisbury, N.C., and Helen Kandel Adams of Ormand Beach, FL.
In lieu of flowers, please send donations to the Jeffersonville Public Library, Jeffersonville Ambulance Corps, and the Wounded Warrior Project (woundedwarriorproject.org).
A memorial service will be held to honor Helen’s life in the Spring.
Arrangements are by Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Callicoon, N.Y., (845) 887-4900.

Kenneth B. Feeney
Retired from Landon Associates Advertising, 73

Kenneth B. Feeney of Long Eddy, NY, died Wednesday, November 7, 2012 at Catskill Regional Medical Center, Harris, NY. He was 73.
The son of the late Edward A. and Ann Ferguson Feeney, he was born September 26, 1939 in Jackson Heights, NY.
He was retired from Landon Associates, an advertising agency in New York City. He was a parishioner of St. Patrick’s Church in Long Eddy, and Holy Cross Church, Callicoon. He was a former member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve.
He is survived by wife, Dorothy Caffrey Feeney, at home; one sister, Ann Marie Lynch and her husband Danny of Riverdale, NY; one brother, Robert Feeney of California; two brothers-in-law, Edward Caffrey and his wife, Sheila, of Maryland and Thomas Caffrey of St. James, NY; eight nieces and nephews; and 14 great-nieces and nephews.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, November 17, 2012 at 11 a.m. at St. Patrick’s Church in Long Eddy. Father Charles O’Connor, OFM, will officiate.
Interment will follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Long Eddy, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, Callicoon, NY, (845) 887-4900.