Obituaries – December 28, 2018

Jane Ellen Coundjeris

October 19, 1923 – December 19, 2018

formerly of Highland Falls

Surrounded by love, Jane Ellen Coundjeris (nee O’Connor) went home to the Lord on Dec.19 at her home in Frederick, Md.  She was 95.

She was born at home on Oct. 19, 1923 in Highland Falls, to Catharine Bennett Lewis and Charles R. O’Connor.

Jane graduated from Highland Falls High School, Class of 1941, and the Spencer Business School.  She spent the war years working in the finance department at the U.S. Military Academy, a position she held until marrying the love of her life, the late Plato N. Coundjeris, in June 1948.  They were married 62 years at the time of his death in October 2010.

Jane was a voracious reader with an uncanny memory.  She could recite a poem for every occasion.  She had a wide range of interests and abilities, including sewing, art, history, geography and genealogy.  She made the very best pie crusts and all jokes aside, her fruitcakes were legendary.

Jane is survived by her daughters – Mary-Erin Schunick (Douglas) of Bay Village, Ohio, Jane-Maria Ketchem (John) and Catherine A. Coundjeris of Frederick, Md.; two granddaughters – Jennifer Dasko of Bay Village, Ohio and Justine Schunick of Burbank, Calif.; two great-granddaughters – Sophia and Oliva Dasko; sister-in-law, Lucie O’Connor and many nieces and nephews.

She was the last of her immediate family.  In addition to her parents and husband, Jane was predeceased by her beloved son Nicholas O’Connor Coundjeris; sisters Catharine Graber (Lorentz), Mary Fabritius (Al), Margie Powell (Joe), Ceil Kehoe (Will), Charlotte Vanzo (Alfie); brother Charles R. O’Connor; and sister-in-law, Gladys Brooks (Lee).

A Mass of Christian Burial was held at Holy Family Catholic Community in Middletown on Dec. 22. Expressions of sympathy may be offered at StaufferFuneralHome.com.

Helen M. Gronski

April 24, 1928-December 11, 2018

Fort Montgomery

Helen M. Gronski,  age 90 of Fort Montgomery, the daughter of  Kataryzena and Stanislaw Gronski (originally from Debica, Poland) grew up in Hazleton, Penn. Helen was the spouse of the late Peter Gronski of Somerville N.J. (orginally from Freeland Penn.). She belonged to the Senior Citizen Club of Highland Falls. In her younger years Helen enjoyed ice skating, berry picking in the woods, and outings with her 10 siblings.

Helen was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and aunt to many nieces and nephews. She is survived by her sister Julia Sisock of Bethlehem Penn., brother Frank Gronski of Hazleton Penn., son James Gronski, daughter-in-law Lesley Gronski of Winter Garden, Fla, daughter Joan Buchholz, son-in-law Ronald Buchholz of Fort Montgomery, grandchildren Michael of Indianola, Wash., Erik, Alexander and Dylan Rock Buchholz of Fort Montgomery as well as great grandchildren Kaelie, Kamryn, and Lily Gronski of Indianola Wash. She was predeceased by her siblings Walter, John, Joseph, Michael, Stanley, Stella, Anna, Mary, and son Michael Paul Gronski of Susquamish Wash. Her daughter-in-law Linda Gronski lives in Murphy N.C.

A funeral mass and memorial is planned for Jan. 5, 2019 at St. Gabriel’s Roman Catholic Church in Hazleton, Penn.

Rose Marie Hurban

January 2, 1943-December 18, 2018

Cornwall

Rose Marie Hurban, of Cornwall, a former resident of Highland Mills, entered into eternal rest on Dec. 18 at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital  in Newburgh. She was 75 years old.

The daughter of the late Antonio Porco and Josephine (Perri) Porco, Rose was born on Jan. 2, 1943 in New York City.

Rose was a retired Clerk with the Orange County Department of Social Services in Goshen. She was an extremely loving and dedicated mother who lived for her two boys and her five beautiful grandchildren. Her strength was incredible, overcoming so many obstacles from a young age, until the day God called her home. She will be impossible to forget.

Rose was predeceased by her loving husband, John Hurban, in 1992 and her companion, Kenneth Bohleke, in 2017.  She is survived by her loving sons John Hurban and his wife Shannon of Cornwall, and Jason Hurban and his wife Erika of New Windsor; her adored grandchildren Laurel, Declan, Finnian, Brendan and Justin; her sister Caroline Andersen and her husband Michael; her nephew and niece: Anthony Andersen and his wife Laura and JoAnn Friedman and her husband Christopher. In addition to her husband, Rose was predeceased by her nephew Michael Andersen, Jr.

Her family received visitors on Dec. 21 at Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc. in Cornwall-on-Hudson.  A Mass of Christian Burial was held on Dec. 22 at St. Patrick’s R.C. Church in Highland Mills. Interment will follow the Mass at St. Anastasia Cemetery in Harriman.

Sarah Loretta Ryan

1938-December 19, 2018

Cornwall

Sarah Loretta Ryan of Cornwall passed away peacefully at home on Dec. 19. She was 80.

The daughter of the late Benjamin and Loretta Santoro, Sally was born in Cornwall in 1938. She chose to live and raise her family in the hometown she loved. Sally was well known throughout town for her razor sharp wit and strong opinions.

Sally graduated from Mount St. Mary High School and the College of New Rochelle. She got a master’s degree in reading from SUNY New Paltz in 1985. Sally considered herself a lifelong learner and always kept up with current events and trends in education.

Throughout her 40 years of teaching and mentoring in Cornwall and Newburgh she had a lasting impact on her students, colleagues, and administrators.

ally was an avid volunteer, splitting her time between Storm King Art Center, the Museum of Hudson Highlands, the Cornwall Garden Club, the Cornwall Hospital, and many other causes. She always made time for her Dunkin Donuts and Cornwall Library friends.

She was a loving mom, grandmother, sister and friend. She will be missed by many.

Survivors include her son, Sean Ryan and wife Jennifer; her daughters Ada Gallo and husband Marcel; Sarah Wojehowski and husband Brian; Caithlin Bridegum and husband Jason; grandchildren: Nicholas and Olivia Gallo, and Ben Bridegum; sister Natalie Yachymiak, plus several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband Leo Ryan, brothers William, James and Benjamin Santoro and sister Gloria Neale.

Visitation was held on Dec. 26 at James F. Lulves Funeral Home in Cornwall-on-Hudson. A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated on Dec. 27 at St. Thomas of Canterbury Church in, Cornwall-on-Hudson and was followed by interment in St. Thomas Cemetery.

The family requests that donations in Sally’s memory please by made to the Cornwall Public Library, 395 Hudson St., Cornwall, NY  12518