Phyllis Ann (Arnold) Key woke up on May 4, 2020 surrounded by her husband, parents, brother, and all the rest of her family and friends in a much better place.  Our mother/grandmother was, in the words of the newest member of our family, “a remarkable woman who, until recently, drove everywhere, lived completely independently, and played fiercely competitive Scrabble with her 95-year old neighbor”.  Her own father called her “something extra”.

Mom never sat still.  Not when she was earning her R.N. at the Hackensack Hospital School of Nursing, nor when she and Frank Key made a home in Closter after marrying on October 17, 1953, nor when they built the house on White Avenue in Old Tappan, and nor when she had 3 of us all under the age of 5 (and still managed to teach Sunday School and then later be a Den Mother and Girl Scout Leader).  Nor when she returned to nursing at Ingleside in OT and then on to Tinkerbell after her parents passed.  Nor when she retired and continued her hiking (honored by the Adirondack Mountain Club in 2019 with their “Lifetime Volunteer Award”), biking, swimming (Northern Valley!), walking, volunteering (she loved her two ESL students and taking care of the staff and patients at the Breast Center first in Pascack Valley and then in Nyack Hospital).  Nor in teaching Tai Chi at Foxhill and reaching out to all the residents with a smile and the offer of a game of Scrabble (never letting on that she knew all the 2 letter words and a zillion ways to use the X on a triple letter score).

Grandma, Grandma G or just G to her grandchildren, she was thankful and proud to see each one of them walk across the stage to receive their high school and college/university diplomas.  Her grandchildren Melissa Flick (Allen), Chris Key (Bridget), Malka Key (Chris Seeling), Hanna Key (Micah Bot-Miller), Rachel Rizzuto (Brett) and Nick Beals, continue her legacies of a love of hiking and the outdoors, an intolerance for injustice, and a soft spot for their pets.

Her children, Eric Key (Cynthia), Glenn (Liz) and Sharon (Donny) are forever grateful for her love and leading by example. 

She was predeceased by her husband (Frank Key), her parents (Augusta and Vince Arnold) and her brother (Vince Arnold). 

Aunt Phyl was beloved by her nieces and nephews and the many lives that she touched. 

In lieu of flowers, her designated charities are:

Tomorrow’s Children in Hackensack – https://www.tcfkid.org/HowYouCanHelp/WaysToDonate

Lustgarten Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer – https://www.lustgarten.org/donate/

Church of the Holy Communion – https://www.thechurchoftheholycommunion.com/donate

We are thankful of our longstanding family tradition of cremate immediately and celebrate when convenient. So for now, just keep her in your heart, say an extra prayer and hold on tight to your loved ones; you never know when that last goodbye will come.

Karen Brown, a long time Piermont, NY resident, died on April 29^th, 2020.  She was 87 years of age.

Karen, who grew up in Hartford, Connecticut, and lived in New York City; moved to Palisades, NY, in 1965.  After graduating from Columbia University, she attended Fordham University where she received a Master’s Degree in social work.

She began working at Rockland Children’s Psychiatric Center in Orangeburg, NY, in 1972.  A few years later, the Center asked her to develop day treatment programs with the Yonkers Board of Education.  The program grew to include preschool children and their parents in daycare centers throughout the city.

After retiring in 1982, she worked for five more years as a social worker at Jawonio, an agency for people with developmental disabilities in New City, NY.

Karen was an active member of the Piermont community. Over the years she had served as a member of the village zoning board of appeals, been treasurer of the Piermont Civic Association and had been active in the villages’ community garden.

Her last days were spent sharing a hospital room with long time partner Robert Samuels as they battled corona virus. Bob passed three days prior to her.

She is survived by two sons, Tony and his wife of Manchester-by-the-Sea, MA, Adam and his wife of Mount Kisco, NY, and five beloved grandchildren, Sam, Caleb, Caitlin, Jordan, and Shelby.

A joint memorial service for Karen and Bob will be planned after the coronavirus pandemic. In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Piermont Civic Association or Doctors Without Borders.

Emile J. Tibere, 89, of Orangeburg, NY, passed away on Saturday, April 11, 2020. Beloved husband of Nicole (nee Lachance). Loving father of Valerie Tibere and Eric Tibere and his wife Denise. Proud grandfather of Ellis and Chase. Dearest brother of Love, Glad and the late Clauna.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

It is with great sadness that our family announces the passing of our beloved Mother, Paulette Kay Kaniecki, age 76, on Sunday May 3, 2020.  She was preceded in death by her husband Chester, of 53 years. 

Paulette was a woman with a heart of gold.  She was always there to lend a helping hand in any situation a family member, friend or even a complete stranger needed.

She was a living example of kindness and compassion. A dedicated mother and grandmother, she treasured and embraced every moment with her children and granddaughters.

Paulette worked 18 years for the Bergen County Health Care and Rehabilitation Center in Rockleigh New Jersey as their Food Service Manager.  A position she loved, she made sure her residents were taken care of and nurtured. Just another example of her tender spirit.

She is survived by her children, Deborah Kaniecki of Northvale, Stephanie Buldo and her husband Chris of River Vale, and Chester Kaniecki Jr and his wife Michelle of Groton, CT.  Her three beautiful granddaughters, Melissa, Samantha and Taylor.  Her brother Craig, nieces, nephews and precious life-long friends. 

Arrangements will be private due to these difficult and trying times.  A memorial service will be held at a later date.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to the Paramus Veterans Memorial Home 1 Veterans Way Paramus, NJ 07652.

Samuel J. Milano, Jr., 83 of Cresskill, NJ passed away on May 5, 2020 after a brief illness. Sam was a warm hearted and gentle man who was an avid walker and a hard worker his entire life. He was born on January 13, 1937, Newark, NJ and was the cherished son of the late Sam and Marie Milano and brother of the late Rosemarie Milano. Sam spent his formative years in the Ironbound section of Newark, NJ and later moved to Kearny, NJ where he was a longtime resident, followed by Belleville, NJ and most recently Sunrise of Cresskill.

Sam worked at Westinghouse in Newark, NJ for over 20 years. He is survived by his cousins Mr. Joseph Policastro, Toms River, NJ, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Paglia, Belleville, NJ, Mr. and Mrs. George Paglia, Nutley, NJ, as well as many extended family members.  

Sam will be buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, North Arlington, NJ and his burial will be private. Funeral arrangements were coordinated by Pizzi Funeral Home, 120 Paris Avenue, Northvale, NJ.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Edith Gregory (nee Aird), 93, of Old Tappan, passed away on Thursday, April 30, 2020. Beloved wife of the late John. Devoted mother of James and wife Laurie, Karen Kierce and husband Roger, Patricia Carroll and husband William, John and wife Theresa and Daniel. Cherished grandmother of 12 and great-grandmother of 5. Dearest sister of Nancy Prescott.

Edith was a graduate of Teaneck High School in 1944. She was a manager at Bank of NY in Norwood.

Funeral services were private.

Arrangements Pizzi Funeral Home, Northvale, NJ.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Diones B. Castillo, 80, of the Bronx, formerly of Manhattan, passed away at home on Friday, May 1, 2020. Beloved husband of Milagros Castillo (nee Paulino). Proud father of Lilia Gomez and husband Ramon, Leslie Zakian and husband Scott, Diones Castillo Jr. and wife Claudia, David Castillo and wife Jamie, Carolynn Kolinsky and husband Jason and Abby Paulino. Adored grandfather and great-grandfather. Loving brother of Milciades and Magaly and was predeceased by 13 brothers and sisters. Also survived by many nieces and nephews and other loving relatives and friends.

Diones worked for the House of Heydenryk in NYC, where he specialized in gold-leaf art frames. He loved to dance, cheer the NY Yankees, and play dominoes and cards. He will be dearly missed by all who knew him.

Although the funeral service is private, those who wish may view online on Tuesday at 3PM at the following link:

https://boxcast.tv/channel/pizzi-funeral-home-diones-castillo-funeral-service-220227

Donations in Diones’ memory may be made to the National Kidney Foundation at www.kidney.org.

Arrangements by Pizzi Funeral Home, Northvale, NJ.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Kathleen M. Gysin (nee McCullough), 81, of Norwood, formerly of Ridgefield, passed away at home on Friday, May 1, 2020. Beloved wife of the late Charles. Cherished mother of Thomas and his companion Emily Diguglielmo of Fair Lawn, Christopher and wife Christine of Waldwick and Laura Cooper and husband Kelly of Fort Lee. Adored grandmother of Timothy, Matthew, Megan and Nicole. Loving sister of Joan Currid and husband Michael  and the late Arthur. Dear sister-in-law of Janice McCullough, Frederick Gysin and the late Frances Gysin and the late Arlene Donaghue.

Kathleen was a devoted wife, mother and grandmother.  She was a crossing guard in Englewood Cliffs for many years before becoming an office manager at George H. Swatek, Inc. in Ridgefield until she retired. Kathleen also enjoyed volunteering her time at Englewood Hospital.

A Memorial Mass to celebrate Kathleen’s life will be held at a later date.

Arrangements by Pizzi Funeral Home, Northvale.

www.pizzifuneralhome.com

Following a brief illness, Lurline S. Jacobsen (nee Seelig), 93, of Monroe Township, NJ, formerly of Northvale, NJ, passed away on Tuesday, April 28, 2020.  She was the oldest daughter of the late Arthur F Seelig and the late Olga Rose Russo.  Lurline graduated in 1944 from Matawan High School.  Interestingly, Lurline was named after a cruise ship, the SS Lurline, as her father knew the captain.  This may be where her future love for cruising began.  

Beloved wife of the late Joseph.  Loving mother of Barry and his fiancé Debbie Sills and Cheryl Blum and her husband Steven. Adored grandmother of Brandon, Christopher, Lori, Wendy, Stephanie, Jeffrey, and the late Kevin. Dearest sister of Joan Thompson, Barbara Clause and the late Arthur Seelig, Jr.  Lurline will be missed by a large number of nieces and nephews and cousins

Following secretarial training, Lurline had an exalted career as an executive secretary initially working in New York City for Sinclair Oil Company and later while raising her family, she was employed as the Superintendent’s secretary at the Northvale Public Schools.  Lurline continued to work through her 70s in similar positions at Volvo of America and MEM in Northvale.

Lurline was an adventurous traveler from an early age.  She was 19 years old when she took a solo trip, by train, crossing the United States to visit relatives in California.  A trip few young women in the 1940s would have taken alone.  In later life she fulfilled her life-long dream to travel and, in particular, to take cruises all around the world.  In 1993, at the age of 67 she embarked on an even longer solo trip to visit her pen pal of over 60 years, who lived in New Zealand.

Lurline’s host of riveting stories were shared endlessly with friends and family, including her varied travels around the world.   She will be missed dearly.

Funeral services are private.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The National Kidney Foundation.

Arrangements by Pizzi Funeral Home, Northvale, NJ

pizzifuneralhome.com

08/30/1948 – 04/29/2020

     Bob grew up in Closter, NJ and served in the U.S. Army during Vietnam conflict.  In 1972 he married Vicki (nee Barbera) and moved to Rockland County where they had one son, Robert Jr. who is now a Captain in the U.S. Army.   Bob was an auto mechanic and then became a sheet metal worker (local #28).

   Bob died at home during a construction accident. Bob was doing what he always loved to do – working. Neither his age, inclement weather nor his various aliments could stop him.  Bob had an unmatched work ethic that was virtually unstoppable.  He was loved by so many who thought of him as their closest friend.  He loved people and would do anything for anyone.  His hobbies were boating, fishing, riding his motorcycle and fixing anything mechanical.  He could do anything he set his mind to do and just loved life.

     Bob was faithful member of the Norwood American Legion. He is survived by his brother , Harold (Barbara) Beaumont of Earlton, NY  and four brothers-in-law, Joseph (Kim), Vincent (Ingrid), John (Kathy) and William (Mary) as well as many nieces and nephews.

    Funeral services are private.  A memorial service will be held in the summer to properly celebrate Beau’s life.  Date and place to be announced.

pizzifuneralhome.com