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Florence Walsh Chumas "Flo" - Class of 1934

Submitted by Pauline Rute Hall 1952 <Grammypgh@aol.com> on 22/Mar/2014
108.75.156.175

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  Florence Walsh Chumas, a lifelong area resident of Newburgh, NY, passed away at the age of 97, on Thursday, March 20, 2014. She was born in Newburgh, NY on November 27, 1916, to the late John J. Walsh and Ann Townsley Walsh. Flo was an excellent academic student, graduating from Newburgh Free Academy as class secretary in 1934. She continued her education at The Spencerian Business School, and after graduation, she worked for H.J. Wilkins Insurance and Real Estate Co., prior to her June 6, 1941 marriage to her high school sweetheart, George Chumas, who predeceased her in 1984. From 1963 to 1978, she was employed by The Newburgh Board of Education as an Administrative Secretary at NFA where she developed many close friendships with her co-workers. Flo was past president of West Street School PTA and a life member of National Congress of Parents and Teachers, a charter member and secretary of Colonial Terraces Neighborhood Association, served on the Board of Managers of the Amos and Sarah Holden Home for 15 years while holding positions of Chairman and recording secretary, and a Cub Scout Den mother. Flo was a long time member of St. Patrick’s Church in Newburgh, as well as a communicant of St. Mary’s and Sacred Heart Churches. Her forever young and optimistic attitude, sense of humor and wit, courage, determination, and tenacious spirit carried her through her long life. She will be greatly missed. Flo’s favorite quote and belief was: “There are in the end…..Three things that last…Faith, Hope and Love, And the greatest of these is Love”. 1Corinthians. The family thanks the staff at The New Windsor Country Inn where Flo had made her home for the past 4 years, and a very special thanks to her companion, Ileen, for making Flo’s days brighter. Flo’s last 2 weeks were made comfortable by the compassionate care given to her by the wonderful and caring staff of Elant in Goshen. Besides her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her sister, Miriam (Mim) Todd-Wanamaker, and her daughter-in-law, Karen Chumas. Survivors include her daughter, Ann Schebesta and her husband, Robert, of Newburgh, her son, George Chumas, of NJ, her grandchildren: Amy Blendinger and her husband Russ of NC; Sarah Stivala, and her husband, Anthony of Highland; Daria Chumas, George Chumas, Jr, Alexandra Chumas of NJ; and her great-grandchild, Kyle Blendinger of NC. She also leaves her nephew, Richard Todd and his wife, Susan of MA and her cousins, Betty Bevan and her husband Bill of CT, and Nancy Miller of CA., as well as numerous nieces , nephews and cousins. Visitation will be Monday, March 24, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave., Newburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow the visitation at 2 p.m. at St. Patrick’s Church, 55 Grand St., Newburgh, NY with entombment at Cedar Hill Mausoleum, Rt. 9W Newburgh, immediately following.

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