Bonnie S. Beseth

Bonnie S. Beseth, a lifelong Liberty resident and Claims Processor for the Maxon Co. in Neversink, NY, passed away Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris, NY. She was 44.
The daughter of the late Ronald and Myrtle Decker Beseth, she was born on January 25, 1968 in Liberty, NY.
Bonnie is survived by her sisters, Sherri Rhyne and her husband Jed of Mongaup Valley, NY, and Darlene Page and her husband Eli of Livingston Manor, NY; her aunts, Victoria Decker of Philadelphia, PA, and Letha McCausland of Swan Lake; a special cousin, Michael Beseth and his companion, Rose Tyler; a special friend, Maria Cherepanov of Liberty; her nieces and nephews, Jarad and Jesse Rhyne and Ryan, Miranda and Kyle Page; several cousins, and her canine companion Misha.
A Celebration of her life will take place on Saturday, December 1, 2012 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Ramsay’s Funeral Home, 275 S. Main St., Liberty, NY.
Funeral services will be at 1 p.m. at the funeral home with Ginny Bossley officiating.
Memorial contributions may be made to Liberty Fire Dept., 256 Sprague Ave., Liberty, NY 12754 or to Sullivan County SPCA, PO Box 995, Rock Hill, NY 12775.
Arrangements are by Ramsay’s Funeral Home, Liberty, NY.

Pauline ‘Polly’ A. Hill
Retired Teacher, 83

Pauline “Polly” A. Hill of Grahamsville passed away on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 at home, peacefully surrounded by her family. She was 83.
She was the daughter of the late Glen and Marguerite Annable Thompson; born on March 17, 1929 in Marcellus, NY.
She was a proud graduate of Marcellus High School class of 1946. She later obtained her bachelor’s and master’s degree in 1951 from NYS College for Teachers in Albany, NY.
Polly started her teaching career at Tri-Valley Central School in 1951 teaching both Latin and English. In 1967 she taught English until her retirement in 1987. While she was at Tri-Valley she was head of the English Department, senior class advisor, chaperoned numerous senior trips, directed several senior plays and for a brief stint she was a cheerleading coach.
For many that knew Polly, she was known for being the author and creator of the column “Here and There” in the Townsman. She was the Secretary for the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery Association from 1987-2001. She was an active member of our community who has impacted many different lives; she will continue to be loved and will always be missed by her family and friends.
She is survived by her loving children: David Hill and his wife, Lisa of Virginia Beach, VA, Glenn Hill and his wife, Sally of Grahamsville, NY and Susan Hill and partner, Cheryl Martin of Orlando, FL; grandchildren: Aaron Hill of Annapolis, MD, Matthew Hill of Virginia Beach, Sarah Raco and her husband, Joe of Red Hook, Rebekah Allen and her fiancé, Jeremiah Licis of Rhinebeck; her sister, Joyce Williams of Kirkville, NY and many nieces, nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her devoted husband, Donald H. Hill, whom she married on August 17, 1957.
Visitation will be on Friday, November 30, 2012 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Colonial Memorial Funeral Home, 396 State Route 52, Woodbourne, NY 12788.
A funeral service will be held Saturday, December 1, 2012 at 10 a.m. at the Grahamsville Reformed Church, State Route 55, Grahamsville, NY.
Interment will follow at the Grahamsville Rural Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Polly’s name can be made to the Grahamsville Fireman's Scholarship Fund, or Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY.
Arrangements were under the direction of Colonial Memorial Funeral Home. For further information please call 845-434-7363 or visit our website at www.colonialbryantfuneralhome.com

Shirley Cohen
January 24, 1922 - November 22, 2012

Shirley Cohen of Monticello died peacefully with her children by her side on Wednesday, November 21, 2012, Thanksgiving eve. She was 90.
Her last words were “Thank you very much.”
Her family held private services and suggests that donations in her memory be given to a charity of your choice.
“…when the Song is ended How beautiful is the echo.” Attributed to Abraham Raitzen.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Joseph N. Garlick Funeral Home of Monticello. For further service details or to leave an online condolence, please visit www.josephngarlickfuneralhome.com

Olga A. Cutler, RN
September 19, 1930 - November 28, 2012

Olga Cutler of Jeffersonville, NY, a retired state Community Mental Health Nurse, died Wednesday, November 28, 2012 at Roscoe Nursing Home, Roscoe, NY, with family and friends by her side. She was 82.
The daughter of the late Martin and Elizabeth Ryba Melicharek, Olga was born in Manhattan, NY.
Olga attended Marion College in VA and Johns Hopkins University School of Nursing in MD, graduating with the Class of 1952 to become a Registered Nurse. One of her first challenging assignments was caring for very sick patients in the pediatrics ward at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. She returned to New York City a few years later and accepted a psychiatric nursing position at Roosevelt Hospital. During a chance meeting at a friends’ wedding reception she met her future husband Bill, a fellow from “Upstate.” The couple dated, fell in love, married and settled down in Orange and Sullivan counties, where Olga eventually worked for Middletown Psychiatric Center and NYS community mental health programs.
Olga loved life in the Hudson Valley, and developed a passion for environmental issues and animals that continued throughout her being. She was a member of the Sullivan County Audubon Society, Basha Kill Area Association and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County.
Olga is survived locally by her son William, nephew Marty (Rosalind) Melicharek III, nieces Irene (Les) Cary, Nancy (John) Melicharek-Harriger (CA), Susan (Greg) Wojcik (SC), and many cousins and dear friends.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband, William Sr.; a brother, Martin (Verna) Melicharek Jr. of Sacramento, CA; and a sister, Suzanna Melicharek of Jeffersonville, NY.
Cremation will be private. Graveside services and burial will take place on Tuesday, December 4, 2012 at 2 p.m. at the Jeffersonville Lutheran Cemetery, Jeffersonville, NY.
A memorial service celebrating Olga’s life with friends and family will be held in the Spring.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Olga’s memory may be made to the Sullivan County SPCA, 104 Rock Hill Drive, Rock Hill, NY 12775.

Ann Elizabeth Pfeifer
Homemaker and Bookkeeper, 81

Ann Elizabeth Pfeifer of Obernburg, NY, died on Tuesday, November 27, 2012 in Hamden, CT, after a long illness. She was 81.
Born on June 29, 1931 in Callicoon Center, she was the daughter of the late Frank Steinhauer and Mary Kille Steinhauer. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Emil, who died in 1995; her brother, Joseph Steinhauer; and brothers-in-law Francis Erlwein and Robert Rutledge.
Ann was a member of St. Mary’s Church in Obernburg and also the Rosary Society.
Ann was raised a farm girl and was always quick to tell stories about her experiences working on the farm, especially milking the cows. After she married in 1951, she was a dedicated homemaker and also the bookkeeper for Emil’s plumbing and heating business. Ann was a hard worker, never afraid to take on any task. She took pride in her home, inside and out, and it certainly showed in her lawn and gardens. She spent many summer hours outdoors working in her vegetable and flower gardens, and in the kitchen canning, freezing, and preserving all the fruits of her labor. She was a wonderful cook and baker and leaves all of us with memories of delicious meals. During the winters she braved the cold, windy Obernburg weather keeping the driveway and walkways cleared; and her inside time was spent working on crafts, especially cross-stitch projects. She loved her bowling; she was a regular at Callicoon Lanes for many years. She was an avid walker and could be seen out in almost any weather taking her daily walk.
In recent years, Ann was lovingly cared for by caregivers at Arden Courts in Hamden, CT, an assisted living home specializing in Alzheimer’s patient care. She was well-known throughout the home. Since she loved to walk, she made good use of the hallways and outdoor walkways within the facility in her earlier years there, outpacing anyone who walked with her.
Ann is survived by her three children: Kathleen (Christopher) Ridley of Youngsville, Thomas Pfeifer of Bridgeport, CT, and Daniel (Kathleen) Pfeifer of Norwich; three grandchildren: Kristin Schaefer, Lesley Pfeifer, and Christian Pfeifer; three step-grandchildren: Elisabeth Pellegrino, Janet Ridley, and Robert Ridley; and a step great-grandchild, Christiana Pellegrino. She is also survived by two sisters, Dorothy Erlwein and Mary Ellen Rutledge, along with several nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Friends may call Sunday, December 2, 2012 from 5-8 p.m. at the Stewart-Murphy Funeral Home, 5068 Route 52, Jeffersonville, NY.
A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, December 3 at 11 a.m. at St. Mary’s Church in Obernburg, NY, with Father Joseph Juracek officiating.
Burial will be at St. Mary’s Church Cemetery, Obernburg.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Mary’s Church, P.O. Box 1, Obernburg, NY 12767 or the Alzheimer’s Association, 384 Crystal Run Road, Middletown, NY 10941.