IDA M. CONWAY

Ida Mae Conway of Rock Hill, NY, a retired bookkeeper for Sullivan ARC, died Sunday, December 6, 2009 at the Orange Regional Medical Center – Horton Campus in Middletown, NY. She was 86.

The daughter of the late Robbin Ray Fredenburgh and Irene Stangle Fredenburgh, she was born June 3, 1923 in Woodbourne, NY. She was the widow of John J. Conway who predeceased her on December 3, 1982.

A graduate of Fallsburgh High School and Kingston Business School, she was a longtime bookkeeper for Weiss Motor Sales, and for Lasky Chevrolet and Oldsmobile in Monticello, NY; as a bookkeeper and general manager of West End Service Station and as bookkeeper for Conway’s Service Station, both owned and operated by her husband in Monticello.

She is survived by sons John Conway and wife Debra of Barryville, NY and Joseph Conway and wife Margaret of Liberty, NY; daughters Dr. Mary Conway of Washington, NC, Nancy Fraser and husband Robert of Ferndale, NY and Joanne Jasper of Monticello; grandchildren Chester Stanton Jr., Amanda Mall and husband Kurt, Ryan and Kyle Jasper, Ashley Fraser, Mary, Joseph, and Theresa Conway, Sarah Balmer and Rebecca Van Keuren; five great grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her husband, she was predeceased by daughters Theresa and Jane Elizabeth; and brothers Arnold, Charles and Earl Fredenburgh.

Her Funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday, December 11 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, Liberty, with Msgr. Edward Straub officiating.

Burial followed at St. Peter’s Cemetery in Monticello.

Contributions can be made to Sullivan ARC 162 East Broadway, Monticello, NY 12701 ( sullivanarc.org ) or to the Literacy Volunteers of Sullivan County, 63 North Street, Monticello, NY 12701 ( literacysullivan.org ).

THOMAS E. PIERCE

Thomas E. Pierce of Blooming Grove, NY, formerly of Otisville, NY, the head custodian for Briarcliff Manor School, died December 8, 2009 at St. Luke’s Cornwall Hospital. He was 59.

The son of Frederick M. Pierce and Agnes A. McDowell, he was born December 7, 1950 in Middletown, NY.

He served in the army during 1968-1971, serving in Vietnam. He received many medals including a Purple Heart. His second term, 1973-1977, he spent time in Bad Hersfeld, Germany V Corps. He continued serving his community, joining the Mt. Lodge Fire Dept. and becoming Past Asst. Chief of the Mt. Lodge/Salisbury Mills Fire District. He also joined the VFW Post 8691 in Washingtonville and recently became commander. He was known to give his all. He also loved to have fun and was an avid hunter, fisherman, bowler and golfer. He touched the lives of many and will be missed by all.

Survivors include his wife Christine H. Pierce of Glen Spey, NY; brother Frederick Pierce; sister Ruth Moulton and husband Keith; and several nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was predeceased by Judy Pierce.

Funeral services were held on Monday, December 14 at the David T. Ferguson Funeral Home, 20 North St., Washingtonville, NY.

Burial was in Orange County Veterans Cemetery.

Donations may be made to Mt. Lodge Firehouse.

MEDDIE SCHWAMBERGER

Meddie Schwamberger of Smallwood, NY, a longtime area resident, passed away peacefully on Friday, December 11, 2009, at her home. She was 86.

Born October 11, 1923 in El Paso, TX, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Naomi Wegman Kelly. She was predeceased by her husband, Otto Schwamberger on September 19, 1990.

Meddie was a retired school bus driver for the Monticello Central School District. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Church in Mongaup Valley, NY; the Bethel Catholic Club; Ladies of Knights of Columbus in Monticello, NY; and Bethel Senior Citizens; and was a foster grandparent at the Cooke Elementary School in Monticello for eight years.

She leaves behind sons Edward Schwamberger and wife Connie of North Carolina, Charles Schwamberger and wife Christie and Otto Schwamberger and wife Leslie, all of Smallwood; daughters Anne Eacret and husband Jerry of Indiana, Edna Tursi and husband Luke of Monticello and Naomi McCormick of Mongaup Valley, NY; brothers James Kelly and wife Sharma of Ferndale, George Kelly and wife Barbara of Virginia and John Kelly and wife Jean of Smallwood; sisters Mary Durkin of Callicoon Center, NY and Evelyn Brown of Smallwood; 11 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

Her Funeral Mass was held on Monday, December 14, at St. Joseph’s Church in Mongaup Valley. Fr. John Tran officiated. Cremation was at Cedar Hill Crematory in Middle Hope, NY and her ashes will be buried in Evergreen Cemetery with her husband at a later date.

Contributions may be made to Smallwood-Mongaup Valley Fire Dept., Ballard Rd., Smallwood, NY 12778 or to Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Ct., Newburgh, NY 12550.

MELISSA POLEY SMITH

Melissa Poley Smith of Liberty, NY, a homemaker and lifelong area resident, died Thursday, December 10, 2009 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in New York City. She was 41.

The daughter of Anna VanGorden Poley and the late Arnold Poley, she was born March 12, 1968 in Liberty.

Survivors include her husband, Robert K. Smith, at home; daughter Jazmine Smith at home; mother Anna Poley of Hortonville, NY; sisters Pamela Poley Lundgren and husband Stephan of Hortonville, Christine Whitmore of North Branch, NY and Lori Whitmore of Loch Sheldrake, NY; brothers David Poley of Schaghticoke, NY, Howard Whitmore and wife Beverly of Hortonville and Thomas Whitmore and wife Karen of Damascus, PA; several aunts and uncles; many cousins; several nieces and nephews and great nieces and nephews; and many loving friends.

She was predeceased by her father, Arnold Poley; and nephew Jason Long.

A celebration of Melissa’s life was held Sunday, December 13 at the Harris Funeral Home, Liberty.

Contributions may be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, PO Box 96305, Washington, DC 20090-305 or the Cystic Fibrosis Center at St. Vincent’s Hospital - Adult Program, 36-7th Ave. Suite 509, NY, NY 10011.

ETHEL G. ZEMBRYSKIE

Ethel G. Zembryskie of Bethel NY, passed away on Friday, November 27, 2009, at Catskill Regional Medical Center in Harris, NY. She was 79.

She was born on June 4, 1930 in Hillburn, NY, one of five children of the late George and Grace Jenkins.

A family statement reads: “To know Esther was to love her. She cherished life and new people, greeting everyone with a smile. She loved spending time with family and friends, and loved every minute with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She enjoyed shopping and going to flea markets. She will be greatly missed.”

She was the widow of Paul (Frank) Zembryskie who passed away on June 30, 1994.

Survivors include her brother, George Jenkins and wife Marilyn of Newburgh NY; son Henry Miller and wife Sharon of Sloatsburg NY; daughters Stacie Weitekamp and husband Michael of League City, TX, and Victoria Clark and husband Robert of Bethel, NY; 11 grandchildren; three great-grandchildren; and several nieces, nephews and friends.

Esther was predeceased by sisters Gloria Adduce, Betty Engles, and Beverly Gulino.

Memorial services were held on December 11 at Van Emburgh-Sneider Funeral Home, Ramsey, NJ. Burial followed at Maryrest Cemetery, Mahwah, NJ.