Archive » February 2023 » Obituaries

Claire H. Leber

MEDUSA — Claire H. Leber, a farm wife, homemaker, and teacher, was a devoted member of Grapeville Baptist Church.

Kenneth Raymond Hunter

Kenneth Raymond Hunter

VOORHEESVILLE — Kenneth Raymond Hunter, who served in the military for three decades, helped develop the I Love NY campaign and was “the voice” of the state ski and fall foliage hotline reports. 

 He died on Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. He was 92.

Terez (Thérèse) Mercurio Limer

Terez (Thérèse) Mercurio Limer died on Monday, Feb. 20, 2023, after a two-year battle with lung cancer. She was just a few days away from celebrating her 75th birthday.

Stephen E. Kohler

NEW SCOTLAND — Stephen E. Kohler, a kindhearted and reliable man, worked at the Watervliet Arsenal after serving in the Coast Guard.

He died on Friday, Feb. 17, 2023, at the Kingsway Arms Nursing Center in Schenectady. He was 71.

Ellen Nickelsberg

RENSSELAERVILLE — Ellen Nickelsberg, who left Wall Street to raise German shepherds and herd sheep in Medusa, died on Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022. She was 77.

Ward Byron Stone Jr.

Ward Byron Stone Jr.

“Ward Byron Stone Jr. loved life,” his children wrote in a tribute. “He valued all life from the smallest animal and plants to the largest animal in New York State that he worked with — Alces alces, the moose.

Beatrice R. Rucinski

Beatrice R. Rucinski

ALTAMONT — Beatrice R. Rucinski was a devoted mother known for her kindness.

“She was always trying to do for others ….,” said her son, Daniel Rucinski. “She was very, very giving; very kind; very pleasant.”

Mrs. Rucinski died on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023, at her Altamont home. She was 90.

Jeanette B. Orsini

by Melissa Hale-Spencer

ALTAMONT — Jeanette Beatrice Orsini lived by the Golden Rule.

One Thanksgiving, she invited a homeless man to her family’s dinner. She wanted her three sons to learn, even if they didn’t have a lot, they could still give to others, her son John Orsini said.

Beverly Hawkins

Beverly Hawkins

NORTH CLARENDON, Vt.  — Beverly Ann Hawkins loved people, communicating, and being part of her children’s lives.

She died unexpectedly on Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022, at the Rutland Regional Medical Center. She was 90.

Betsy Dean

Betsy Dean

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. — “Betsy Dean went home to Jesus on Sunday evening, Jan. 15, 2023,” her family wrote in a tribute. She was 93.

The daughter of the late Sherman and Dorothy (née Sellew) Bishel, she was born in Middletown, Connecticut. She graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School and then attended Syracuse University.

Barbara Ann Snyder

Barbara Ann Snyder

BERNE — Barbara Ann (née Traver) Snyder, a longtime Hilltown beautician, died peacefully on Friday, Jan. 27, 2023, after a brief illness. She was 91.

Born in Hudson, New York, she was the daughter of the late John and Clara Traver. She moved to Berne for her senior year of high school where she met her husband, Jimmy.