Barbara W. Beck
August 31, 1931-January 8, 2015
Barbara W. Beck, a long time resident of Cornwall, then New Windsor, entered into eternal rest on Jan. 8. She was 83.
The daughter of the late Charles and Josephine Williams and Genevieve O’Leary, she was born on Aug. 31, 1931 in Rome, N.Y. She married the late Martin P. Beck on June 4, 1955 in New York City.
She is survived by her son Paul and his wife Lisa of Georgia, and their children Stephen, Kristin and Kelly; her daughter Kate Beck of Briarcliff Manor and her children Patrick, Katherine and Meaghan; her son John and his wife Dru Brenner-Beck of Colorado and their children Matthew, Connor and Samuel; her daughter Joan and her husband Sean McLaughlin of Cornwall; her son Marty and his wife Darlene of Goshen and their children Steven and Evan Scott; her daughter Barbara and her husband Dave Zysk of Florida; her brothers Charles Williams of Hawaii and Andrew Williams of Larchmont; her sister Joan Cotter of New Jersey and several nieces and nephews.
Barbara was devoted to her family and friends. She was a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, a Eucharistic Minister at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, a volunteer at New York Foundling Hospital, a volunteer at Kings Bridge VA Hospital, a member of Sacred Heart Church in Newburgh, a poll worker for New Windsor elections as a monitor, a Town of Cornwall police clerk, and a volunteer for Meals on Wheels.
The family received visitors on Jan. 11 at Brooks Funeral Home in Newburgh. A funeral mass was held at Sacred Heart Church in Newburgh on Jan. 12 and followed by burial in St. Thomas Cemetery in Cornwall.
Memorial contributions may be made to the M.S. Society, Southern Chapter, Gannett Drive, White Plains, NY 10604 or to Hospice of Orange and Sullivan Counties, 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.
Nelson John Christenson
September 30, 1923-January 2, 2015
Chris, a lifelong resident of Cornwall-on-Hudson, passed away on Jan. 2, holding his granddaughter Jenny’s hand after a valiant fight with a faulty heart. He was 91.
His heart might have been worn but is was as good as gold a finer man you could never meet. He was a loving and devoted husband to Goldie for 70 years, a great dad to his children Nelson, Linda and Judy and a caring helpful papa to his grandchildren Jenny, Caitie, Brandy, Jeremy, and Chapin. He even took Roman, Judy’s husband to his heart as a dad to him as well.
Chris was an amazing man – a craftsman – building his entire home, making a working steam engine, and beautiful items like a gorgeous kaleidoscope, cherry tea boxes, a brass compass and so much more. He was an inventor developing the “spirograph toy” before the British inventor. Chris also served his country as a paratrooper in World War ll and came home to his job at Nabisco, working the printing presses and later supervising all printing operations.
He was a wonderful son as an only child taking good care of his mom, Ella Weidner into her eighties. He was a great friend and neighbor always willing to lend a hand or share his knowledge to solve a problem or fix something.
Chris will be so missed by all who knew and loved him for his love, strength and guidance.
Chris is survived by his wife Goldie, his three children, five grandchildren and five great grandchildren.
A gathering of friends and family to celebrate his life will be held at Storm King Lodge, 100 Pleasant Hill Road, Mountainville, NY on Sunday Jan. 25 from 1 to 3 p.m. Light refreshments will be provided.
Jami Lynn (Short) Green
February 12 1967-December 31, 2014
Jami Lynn (Short) Green, 47, of Quinlan, Texas passed away suddenly on Dec. 31 in Tyler, Texas.
Jami was born on Feb. 12, 1967 to Barry and Susan Short in Suffern, New York. She attended Cornwall Central High School and graduated in 1985. A funeral service for Jami was held on Jan. 6 at Quinlan Funeral Home in Quinlan, Texas.
Prior to relocating to Euless, Texas, Jami worked as an administrative assistant at West Point Military Academy, as well as within the Pine Bush School District. Most recently, Jami worked in sales and advertising for the Greenville, Texas Herald Banner.
Jami is survived by her parents, Barry and Susan Short of Cornwall; husband Robert Green of Quinlan, Texas; daughters Morgan Short and fiancé Daniel, and Mackenzee George, of Colleyville, Texas; sisters Kelli Brown and husband Kenneth of Cornwall, Laini Bettencourt and husband Richard of Gaithersburg, Md., and Marci Hilgendorf and husband James of Elmira, N.Y.; grandmothers June Cedras of Cornwall and Gladys Short of Idaho; grandchildren Avery, Simone, and Scarlett Bennett; aunts Bobbi Turner and fiancé Bill, Denise Bessler and husband Randy, and Donna Sullivan and husband Paul; uncle Robert Short; nieces and nephews Kamryn Brown, Madison and Colman Bettencourt, Burke and Cecilia Hilgendorf; Robert Hall and Ronald George; and numerous cousins, other relatives, and friends. Jami was preceded in death by husband Michael Mitchell, as well as grandfathers Robert Short, Robert Cedras, and John Lynch.
Jami’s contagious laughter, sense of humor, and caring way in which she touched many lives will be deeply missed. Her kind spirit and zest for life will live on through her pride and joy, her children and grandchildren.
Marie Arnold Murphy
December 12, 1921-January 5, 2015
Marie Arnold Murphy entered into eternal rest on Jan. 5 at Orange Regional Medical Center after a long illness. She was 93.
The daughter of John E. and Catharine D. (Coffey) Arnold, Marie was born on Dec. 12, 1921 in New Windsor. She married John V. Murphy in 1951, who predeceased her in 2004.
A graduate of Newburgh Free Academy and the Spencerian Business School, Marie worked in various administrative positions and retired from federal service after working at both West Point and Stewart Field. She put her career on hold for nearly twenty years as she devoted her time to her children.
Marie was known for her intelligence, integrity, candor and deep devotion to family. Her illness robbed her of many things, but the immense strength within her tiny being was evident until the end.
Marie is survived by her three children: Mark Arnold Murphy, Catherine (Kitty) Murphy and her husband Richard Stecher, and Suzanne Murphy Christoff and her husband Patrick Ierardi and son Michael Ierardi. She is also survived by five of her siblings: Rose E. Arnold, John T. Arnold and his wife Theresa (Teddy), Sister M. John Catherine, Edward (Tom) Arnold, and Michael S. Arnold and his wife Helene. Marie is also survived by her sister-in-law Phyllis Murphy and many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her sisters Elizabeth Warrener and Catherine Henderson; brother-in-law Robert Henderson; John’s sisters and brothers-in-law Gertrude and George Bock, Elizabeth and Paul Leach, and Helen and John Packard; John’s brothers William Murphy, Francis Murphy, and Thomas Murphy; sister-in-law Jacqueline Murphy and several nieces and nephews.
The family received visitors on Jan. 11 at Quigley Brothers Funeral Home in Cornwall-on-Hudson. A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Jan. 12 at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church, Cornwall-on-Hudson, and was followed by burial services at Calvary Cemetery in New Windsor.