Eileen M. Masterson

Wappingers Falls, NY

Eileen M. Masterson, a lifelong resident of Wappingers Falls, passed away peacefully at home, Wednesday, June 25, 2008 on her 88th birthday.

Daughter of the late William and Caroline Gannon Bennett, she attended Wappingers High School and graduated from New Paltz Teachers College. It was there that she acquired her celebrated fine "Palmer Hand," which she put to good use recordkeeping for St. Mary's Parish.

She was married for sixty-two wonderful years to John S. Masterson, who survives at home in Wappingers Falls.

Mrs. Masterson was a dedicated school teacher and commenced her career in Dover Plains. After raising her family, she later resumed her career, teaching forth grade at James S. Evans Elementary School in Wappingers Falls. An accomplished pianist, she played accompaniment for many school programs and assemblies. She was also proficient at knitting, crafting many wonderfully warm sweaters and mittens. This skill she passed to her youngest daughter Margaret, who preceded her in death in April 2008. In her long and fruitful life, she was a Cub Scout Leader, Girl Scout Cookie Chairman, Past President of the St. Mary's Mothers' Guild, a former trustee of St. Mary's Church, and served on the Village of Wappingers Falls Parks Commission, bringing an intelligent efficiency and quiet competence to everything she undertook.

A devoted wife, mother and grandmother, Mrs. Masterson had an uncanny ability to soother even the most fretful baby.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her children, Richard and daughter-in-law, Susie, Thomas, Kathleen, Jackie and Maureen; her son-in-law, Peter Wilby; her loving grandchildren, Vincent, Danielle, Chris, Damian, Brendan, Megan, Ryan, Brian, James, Nora, Emma and Kyla and their children, Brianna, Tricia, Sarah and Heather.

The family would like to thank the McDonalds, who were more than neighbors and treated our mother as their own.

Family will receive their friends on Sunday, June 29, from 2 to 6 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E. Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Monday, June 30, at St. Mary's Church, Clinton St., Wappingers Falls. Interment will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Wappingers Falls.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to either St. Mary's School, 2 Convent Ave., Wappingers Falls, NY 12590 or Hospice, 374 Violet Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12601.

For directions to the funeral home or to send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com or 845-297-2610.