Obituaries – March 20, 2020

Donald P. (Zubawicz) Leeds

March 19, 1935 – March 5, 2020

Cornwall

Donald P. Leeds, of Cornwall, NY entered into eternal rest on March 5, at his home surrounded by his loving family.  He was 84 years old.

The son of the late Stanley P. Zubawicz and Valerie (Mattrick) Zubawicz, Don was born on March 19, 1935 in Brooklyn..

Don honorably and proudly served his country as a Corporal in the U.S.  Marine Corps from 1955 to 1957.  He was a proud longtime member of the NRA. He was retired from ABS Realty in Newburgh, where he worked for 16 years.

Don is survived by his loving wife, Marian R. (Vogel) Leeds; his daughters: Laura D. (Leeds) Davidson and Jennifer A. (Leeds) Fahey; his son: Jonathan G. Leeds; his grandchildren: Nicole Robinson, the late Christopher Davidson, Timothy Davidson, Rebecca Leeds, Victoria Leeds, Ashley Leeds, and Thomas Fahey; his great granddaughter: Olivia Robinson; and his sister: Agnes Masur of Vero Beach, FL.

A graveside service with military honors was held. on Monday, March 9 at the Orange County Veterans Memorial Cemetery, in Goshen.

Memorial contributions in Don’s name may be made to the Orange County Veterans, 111 Craigville Road, Goshen, NY 10924.

 Arrangements are entrusted to Quigley-Sullivan Funeral Home, Inc.; to send condolences, please go to www.Quigleybros.com.

Rose (Rosina) Margaret Scalise

July 16, 1925-March 13, 2020

Cornwall-on-Hudson

Rose (“Rosina”) Margaret Scalise of Cornwall-on-Hudson, New York, passed away on March 13, 2020, at Montefiore St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital, Newburgh Campus. She was 94.

The oldest daughter of the late Giuseppe Fontana and Rose Gabriele Fontana, she was born on July 16, 1925 in Williamsport, PA, and raised in Brooklyn, NY. 

A hairdresser in Manhattan, Rose married Saverio (“Sam”) Scalise in 1954, eventually settling in the Hudson Valley. For over twenty years she was employed by the Cornwall Central School District in a number of positions, as well as being a member of the Catholic Daughters of America, Court Rita #264. 

Rose is survived by her daughter: Laura Fanning and her husband Peter of Cornwall, NY; her son: Anthony J. Scalise of Cornwall, NY; her nephew: Dr. Paul J. Scalise and his wife Naoko of Ortley Beach, NJ; and many cousins and friends. Her husband Sam, her younger sister Marian, and her brothers-in-law William Kupper, Louis Scalise, and Paul (“Cy”) Scalise all predeceased her. 

Visitation was held on March 18 and was followed by a Mass and interment. Arrangements were handled by Quigley Brothers Funeral Home. 

Lucy Houghton Swift, MD

August 24, 1926 – February 29, 2020

Cornwall, NY

Dr. Lucy H. Swift (93) of Cornwall, NY died peaceably on Leap Day, February 29, 2020.

She was born August 24, 1926 in New York City to Dorothea Valentine Abbott and Dr. Walker Ely Swift and grew up in Darien, CT and NYC. Lucy attended Black Mountain College in North Carolina and Barnard College. She graduated from Columbia University in 1953 with an MD. She went on to specialize in pediatric cardiology and was deeply committed to the well-being of children.

Lucy was a life-long ​physician. She was dedicated to serving others and worked untiringly, giving each of her patients the time and care they needed. ​From her time at St Luke’s Hospital (1964-1986) a friend and colleague remarked, “She was teacher and confidant. Amazing! We all learned so much from her and she taught us how to be doctors.”

Lucy moved to Cornwall, NY in 1990 where her great-grandfather, Lyman Abbott, settled his family. ​ Lucy was also a direct descendant of General Joseph Gardner Swift, the first graduate of the United States Military Academy in 1802. She loved the Hudson River and the land of the river valley.

She continued her professional work as a collaborative physician with Orange-Ulster BOCES and served as a medical consultant for 15 years with “Inspire” in Goshen NY.

Lucy was deeply committed to her community. She was active with the Cornwall Public Library and the Hudson Highlands Nature Museum. She had lifelong musical interests and played the flute weekly with a small group of friends.

Lucy was inquisitive about people of all ages and religions. She found a home in the Quaker community in Cornwall. She loved books, writing, and thinking and had a great reverence for nature. She inspired love, respect…and a little fear in all who knew her!

Dr. Swift was pre-deceased by her brother, Abbott and her sister, Elisabeth, and by two nieces, Dorothea and Ann. She leaves one niece, Deborah Swift Carter (Lakeville CT) married to John; three great nephews – Caleb Carter, married to Sachiko; Jacob Carter, married to Theresa and Jesse Carter. She delighted in her great-great niece, Maya and her great-great nephews; Sage, Samuel, Simon and Nico. She always remembered their birthdays!

Toward the end of her life, the care that she had given to others over the years was returned to her through wonderful caregivers and dear friends.
She was a treasure and we will carry her in our hearts.

Donations: Doctors Without Borders, Cornwall Public Library or Hudson Highlands Nature Museum. There are tentative plans to gather in her honor on April 25th at 11:00 at the Cornwall Friends Meeting House.