All Obituaries

Sari Brewster Tietjen, a second-generation dog fancier and lifetime participant in the sport of purebred dogs.   Sharon (Sari) Brewster Tietjen, a long-time resident of Rhinebeck, died after a long illness on Saturday May 11 at Northern Dutchess Hospital.   Mrs. Tietjen was an award-winning author and journalist with four books published. In 1990 she published, as part of Rhinebeck’s 300th Anniversary, a book entitled “Rhinebeck, Portrait of a Town” which...

A long time ago (1956) in a galaxy far, far away (Akron, Ohio) Richard Shomo was transported to Earth by two loving parents: Rudy Shomo and Faye Booth.   Richard grew up in Barbour County, West Virginia where he rode dirt bikes with his family, read science fiction, listened to progressive rock, and fought to keep his hair long. After leaving school, Rich moved to the Hudson Valley in New York and began working at IBM. Rich was at IBM for over 40 years, working his way from a System...

    Athelstan Lewis, 83, died on April 18, 2019 at Calvary Hospital. Athelstan Lewis was the second son of Alexander and Josefita Lewis.   "Al", as he was known to friends, was born in Colon, Panama on May 11, 1935.  In his early years, he worked odd jobs until entering the US Army. He left the Army in 1958 and met Sallie Bell Sanders in Philadelphia.  There they settled, having four (4) children: Vela, Ralton, Leston and Anton. The family moved...

Jeffrey Kilmer, 65, passed away peacefully on April 27, 2019, at his home in Poughkeepsie. Born in Rhinebeck, NY on April 29, 1953, he was the son of the late Basil and Minerva (Wilkens) Kilmer. Jeffrey enjoyed all sports; especially his New York teams the Yankees and the New York Giants. He also loved to fish and to sing along to Elvis.  He was always a happy person, had a great sense of humor, and left a lasting impression with everyone he met. Calling Hours will be held on Friday,...

Rhinebeck – John A. Ochs, 101, passed away Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at the Northern Dutchess  Hospital. Mr. Ochs was a Rhinebeck resident since he was stationed by the U.S. Army Air Corps Signal Corps as a member of a group that was selected to guard President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  He along with 35 others were responsible to spot planes from five towers in the area. He was discharged from the Army in 1945 and remained in the area.  John is a life member of the...

Kay (Tremper) Verrilli, 88, of Rhinebeck, passed away peacefully in her home on January 26th 2019.   Born in Poughkeepsie, New York on June 25th, 1930, she was the daughter of Stanton Rockefeller Tremper and Kathryn Mae Stewart. Kay grew up in Red Hook, New York and graduated from Red Hook Central High School and went on to attend House in the Pines, Junior College, in Norton, Massachusetts. An accomplished horsewoman, Kay was devoted to horses throughout her life. She rode...

Rhinebeck – Bridget “Bridie” Luffman, 95, passed away Friday, April 5, 2019, at the Baptist Home, Rhinebeck. Bridie was a longtime Rhinebeck resident and communicant of The Church of the Good Shepherd where she was also a member of the Women’s Society and a Eucharistic Minister. She was born March 10, 1924 in Edenderry, County Offaly, Ireland, to John and Anna (Connolly) Scully. She was predeceased by her husband John J. Luffman in 1994, her son Brian M. Luffman,...

Julia “Judy” Hill Kane passed away on March 29 at the Baptist Home at the age of 95. A cherished mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, she was a lifelong Rhinebeck resident and devoted her entire life to her family and to her community. After graduating from Rhinebeck High School and Skidmore College, she worked for a brief time at IBM in Poughkeepsie before marrying John B. Kane in 1946 and soon after began raising their family.   Judy was very proud of being one the...

    Ishmael Dante Thomas was born on November 26th, 1950. He has entered his eternal rest on April 2nd, 2019 peacefully at Northern Dutchess Hospital. He lived his life to the fullest.     Ishmael moved with his brother Vincent in 1958 to Willowbrook State School. In 1964 they moved to Wassaic Developmental Center; later to move into a family care home shortly after. His last place of residence was at Wiltwyck IRA in Kingston, NY, and was often known as the...

Barbara H. Poit, 87, passed away at Archcare at Ferncliff Nursing Home on March 14, 2019. Born on February 22, 1932 in New York City, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Helen Bixby. She worked for many years as a secretary for Photo Circuits in Long Island, NY. Barbara was married to her husband Robert Poit for 52 years. They loved traveling to visit their family as well as going to the beach where Barbara enjoyed collecting seashells and sea glass. Mr. Poit passed away in...