Katherine S. Houston

Wurtsboro, NY

Katherine S. Houston, 85, of Middletown, NY, formerly of Wurtsboro, NY, a retired schoolteacher, died September 15, 2008, at Orange Regional Medical Center.

Born on June 13, 1923, she was the daughter of Adam Startup and Emily Bornemann Startup. She married Russell E. Houston on October 3, 1948. Katherine attended Monticello High School and graduated from State Teachers College at New Paltz (now known as SUNY New Paltz) in 1943. Her teaching career spanned 41 years, in Long Island, Ellenville, Monticello and Wurtsboro, having taken only a short break to raise her family. In 1984, she retired from Wurtsboro Elementary School, which she considered her most loved time of teaching. She touched many lives and fondly remembered so many of her former students and wonderful colleagues. She was a life-long member of the Community Church of Wurtsboro. Katherine was also a long time member and former President and Secretary of the American Legion Auxiliary, Unit 1266, Wurtsboro, NY.

Katherine is survived by two daughters, Jacqueline A. Marchant and husband, Lewis of Middletown and Wendy Houston-Anderson and husband, Jon of Northfield, VT. She will be sorely missed by two beloved grandchildren: Emily L. McElroy of Middletown and Zachary A. Cohen of Northfield, Vermont. She was predeceased by her loving husband of sixty years, Russell, her daughter, Gail Marie Houston and brother, Charles Startup.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to all of the nurses, technicians, doctors and employees of Orange Regional Medical Center in the Tucker Center, CCU, PCU and Tower 4, whose loving care and compassion for Mom is so deeply appreciated.

Visitation will be held on Friday, September 19, from 5 to 8 p.m. at the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home, 111 Sullivan St., in Wurtsboro.

Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, September 20, at 11 a.m. at the Community Church of Wurtsboro, Sullivan St., in Wurtsboro with the Rev. Robert Meyer officiating. Burial will follow at the Sylvan Cemetery in Wurtsboro.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be sent to the Community Church of Wurtsboro, PO Box 487, Wurtsboro, NY 12790, The American Legion Auxiliary, Unit# 1266, PO Box 131, Wurtsboro, NY 12790, or the Humane Society of Middletown, 142 Bloomingburg Rd., Middletown, NY 10940.

Arrangements are under the direction of the VanInwegen-Kenny, Inc. Funeral Home of Wurtsboro. For additional information please visit www.kennyfuneralhome.com or 845-794-4141.