Beatrice A. Croteau

It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of Beatrice A. “Babs” Croteau on December 30, 2024, at the age of 90. Babs was born October 8, 1934, in Bronx, NY to Henry and Beatrice (Kasbar) Baxter.

After graduating from James Madison High School, Bronx NY in 1952, Babs worked as an Executive Secretary for the Retail Credit Corporation. The Baxter family spent summers at their home in Copake, NY where Babs met her future husband, Henry W. (Hank) Croteau, Jr. On April 4, 1959, Babs married her soulmate and best friend Hank, and they settled in Claverack, NY where they spent the next 65 years in the home they designed and built together.

Babs was known for her compassion, generosity and love and support for her family and community. She was a member of the Churchtown Fire Auxiliary, Hudson VFW post 1314 Auxiliary, Hudson American Legion post 184 Auxiliary, Copake Grange, Young- at- Hearters Senior Group, Hudson Masonic Lodge #7 Blood Bank, St. John’s in the Wilderness Birthday Candle Fund and Christmas Friends. She was instrumental in coordinating numerous fundraising events for the Hudson Masonic Lodge #7.

In addition to her community work, Babs had a great passion for genealogy and was a member of the Hendrick Hudson Chapter of the National Daughter’s of the American Revolution for over 40 years and was especially proud to be a member of the Descendents of George Washington Association.

Babs was a devoted and loving wife, daughter, sister, aunt cousin, and friend. She was a beautiful soul who would help anyone in need and will be sincerely missed by her family and friends.

She is survived by her husband, sister-in-law Dorothy Avery of Claverack, NY; niece Sarah Baxter of Norwich, CT; nephew Richard Baxter and wife Ruth Baxter of Lyme, CT and Copake, NY; niece Judy Snow of Claverack, NY; niece Nancy O’Day of Cohoes, NY; nephew Keith Avery of Claverack, NY as well as several great nieces and nephews and beloved cousins.

Babs is predeceased by her parents, her brother Henri Baxter and sister-in-law Jennie Baxter (Davi) and brother-in-law Ralph Avery. 

Visitation will be held on Sunday January 5, 2025 from 2:00 to 4:00pm at Peck and Peck Funeral Homes, 8063 Route 22 Copake, NY. Funeral services will be held on Monday January 6, 2025 at 10:00am at St. John’s in the Wilderness Episcopal Church in Copake Falls, NY. Interment will follow in St. John’s in the Wilderness Cemetery.