Sister Rita Donahue

Sister Rita Donahue (1933-2018)

Sister Rita Donahue, 85, of the Monastery of the Incarnation in Beacon, died Feb. 12, 2018, at the Cabrini Nursing Home in Dobbs Ferry.

Sister Rita was born in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on Jan. 25, 1933, the daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth (Long) Donahue.

She graduated from St. Francis Hospital School of Nursing in Hartford in 1954 and earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from the University of Bridgeport. Rita worked as a nurse at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Bridgeport and then as a clinical instructor.

In 1964, she entered the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. She was first missioned to St. Croix in the Virgin Islands, where she helped establish a family health program, and then to Dominica in the West Indies, where she responded to medical needs.

In 1973, Rita entered the Carmelite Monastery in Bronx and on Aug. 14, 1976, made her profession of vows as a Carmelite Nun.

Sister Rita generously gave of herself in community. Her nursing skills were a special blessing through the years. She was always there to comfort and care for any sister who was in need. Her wonderful sense of humor generated comedic skits, rhymes, and songs she composed for the sisters’ birthdays and jubilees. Rita served as community archivist and especially enjoyed preparing liturgies for our daily communal prayer.

Sister Rita is survived by her sister, Grace DePasqua.

Friends may call at the Monastery of the Incarnation, 89 Hiddenbrooke Drive in Beacon, from 2 to 6 p.m. on Feb. 18, with a prayer service at 5 p.m., and from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Feb. 19, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Burial will follow in St. Joachim’s Cemetery in Beacon.

Julia Lucas

Julia Lucas (1936-2018)

Julia Pearl Lucas 81, of Fishkill, died Feb. 10, 2018.

She was born on Dec. 31, 1936, in Wrightsville, Georgia, the daughter of Buster Beasley and Annie Pearl Robinson. She grew up in Ft. Pierce, Florida, where she met her husband of 64 years, David E. Lucas Sr.

After their marriage on Jan. 7, 1954, the couple moved to Glenham and later to Fishkill. Julia served at Beulah Baptist Church, Everlasting Covenant and Faith Assembly. Her family knew her to be a spiritual woman and a strong prayer warrior.

Julia enjoyed many hobbies, including sewing, crocheting, reading, badminton, basketball and a number of other sporting activities. She enjoyed attending the football games whenever her sons played during their school years. She also had a sincere passion for clothing trends and fashion, which she passed on to her four daughters. She enjoyed teaching her daughters the art of making dresses and suits and crocheting and knitting.

Julia worked at IBM in quality control at its Fishkill facility before retiring.

Besides her husband, she is survived by her children: Danny Lucas of Stone Mountain, Georgia; David E. Lucas Jr. (Sylvia) of Fishkill; Cheryl Smallwood (Ronald) of Newburgh; Lawrence Steven Lucas of Lithonia, Georgia; Beverly Ortquist (Eric) of Beacon; Cecilia Montgomery (Warren) of Camas, Washington; and Princess Lindner (Timothy) of Cold Spring; as well as 17 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. She also is survived by her daughter-in-law, Dawn Lucas of Babylon, and her sister-in-law, DeGloria Hall of Columbia, Maryland.

Calling hours will be held from 5 to 7 p.m. on Feb. 23 at the McHoul Funeral Home, 1089 Main St., in Fishkill. A second visitation will be held from 10 to 11 a.m. on Feb. 24 at Salem Tabernacle, 7 Delavan Ave., in Beacon., with a funeral service to follow at 11 a.m. Interment will take place at Fishkill Rural Cemetery.

Stephanie Merritt

Stephanie Merritt (1947-2018)

Stephanie Ann Merritt, 71, of Beacon, died Feb. 13, 2018, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center in Poughkeepsie.

Born in Peekskill on Feb. 10, 1947, she was the daughter of Joseph and Pauline (Gallucci) Bondra. She worked in waste management for more than 25 years until her retirement. She married Martin V. Merritt, who died in 1987.

Stephanie is survived by her children, Joseph Volk of Beacon; Stephen Volk (Jennifer) of Hopewell Junction; Bruce Merritt; Cindy Merritt; Diane McKenna  (Peter); and Jean Merritt. She also is survived by her grandchildren: Jennifer Volk, Stephen Volk, Julia Volk, Amanda Merritt, Shane Walden, James McKenna and Madison McKenna; and her sister-in-law and brother-in-law, Clare and Bob Shultis of Hopewell Junction.

Calling hours will be held on Feb. 16 from 4 to 8 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, 1089 Main St., in Fishkill. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. at St. Joachim Church in Beacon, followed by burial at St. Joachim’s Cemetery.

Behind The Story

Type: Obituary

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