Deborah A. DiRusso

1956 - 2016

Deborah A.

DiRusso

Hyde Park - Deborah A. DiRusso, 60, of Hyde Park, died on Wednesday, July 13, 2016, at Vassar Brothers Medical Center, Poughkeepsie.

Born June 5, 1956 in Poughkeepsie, she was the daughter of the late Les Culver and Nancy Calkins Culver. She graduated from Arlington High School in 1974, and later attended the nursing program at Dutchess Community College.

Debbie worked as a nursing technician in the emergency room at St. Francis Hospital for many years until her retirement. In retirement, she worked as an independent life insurance examiner.

Debbie loved the beach. It was her home away from home. Debbie and her husband enjoyed visiting numerous beaches over the years, including her favorite, Myrtle Beach. Debbie was an avid fan of Penny Socials, going to the casinos and playing bingo. She also was a bargain shopper who loved to clip her coupons. In her spare time, Debbie was passionate about helping the needy, including volunteering at local soup kitchens and collecting items for local shelters. Additionally, Debbie taught C.C.D. for a number of years with her husband at St. Peter's Church in Hyde Park.

On May 2, 1982, Debbie married John J. DiRusso, at St. Denis Church in Hopewell Junction. Her husband survives at home.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by her daughter, Amanda L. DiRusso, of Poughkeepsie; son, Anthony J. DiRusso, of New Paltz; daughter, Denise M. Wilson, and her husband, Joshua, of San Diego, CA; granddaughter, Skylar Wilson, of San Diego; sister, Patricia Smith, and her husband, David, of Rocky Mount, VA; sister, Donna Marie Culver, of Sarasota, FL; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

Debbie was blessed to have had support from numerous friends who supported her throughout the years. Additionally, Debbie affectionately referred to Sarah Schreck and Rocco Palmieri as her "other children", and to Margaret Schreck and Gessie Laguerre as her "sisters".

Debbie's family wants to send a special thank you to the doctors, nurses, and technicians on the oncology floor at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. Additionally, they also would like to thank Dr. Joseph Martz from Mount Sinai Hospital.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4pm and 7 to 9pm on Wednesday, July 20th at Sweet's Funeral Home, Route 9, Hyde Park.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated by Fr. Patrick Curley at 10am, Thursday, July 21st at Our Lady of the Rosary Chapel of St. Peter's Parish, 185 Hudson View Dr., Poughkeepsie.

In keeping with Debbie's wishes, cremation will take place at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, Debbie's family respectfully requests memorial donations to her family, or, St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, PO Box 1000, Dept. 142, Memphis, TN, 38148 (www.stjude.org).

To send an online condolence, or for directions, please visit the website, www.sweetsfuneralhome.com.