Published: 12/1/04

LAKE PLACID — Betsy N. Kennedy, 72, of Mirror Lake Drive, Lake Placid, N.Y., passed away November 28, 2004, at her home in Lake Placid.

She was born in Amarillo, Texas, Sept. 26, 1932, the daughter of Gilmore and Josephine Nunn.

She was a graduate of Northwestern University, class of 1954 with a bachelor of arts in communications. Betsy was business director of the Lexington Philharmonic in Lexington, Ky., from 1973 to 1975; executive director, Albany Symphony Orchestra, Albany, N.Y., from 1975 to 1979; marketing director, Lake Placid Hilton, Lake Placid, N.Y., from 1976 to 1991. She was an executive director and member of the board of directors with the Lake Placid Sinfoniette. Betsy was instrumental in the organization and development of the United States Luge Association and was a race official and friend of the sport for many years. She was also a member and officer of the Lake Placid Kiwanis Club.

She is survived by four sons, Carter T. Kennedy of Chicago Ill., Wade Kennedy and his wife Marsha of Charlotte, N.C., Ian D. Kennedy of Auburn, Calif., and Duncan M. Kennedy and his wife Kelly of Lake Placid, N.Y.; two sisters, Lindsey Weeks of Charlottesville, Va., and Penny Hayes of Naples, Fla. She is also survived by two grandchildren, McCarty T. Kennedy and Madison F. Kennedy, both of Charlotte, N.C.

Calling hours will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Thursday at the M.B. Clark Inc. Funeral Home in Lake Placid, N.Y. A funeral service will follow at 5 p.m. at the funeral home. Rev. Mark Demers, pastor of the Adirondack Community Church will officiate. The family requests in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Joy to the Children Christmas Fundraiser, c/o Lake Placid Center for the Arts, Saranac Ave, Lake Placid, 12946.

PLATTSBURGH — Velma A. Swiatowicz, 83, of Plattsburgh, died Sunday, Nov. 28, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh.

She was born in Lyon Mountain on Feb. 6, 1921, the daughter of Henry and Lillian (Rock) Valley.

She owned and operated the Green Gables in Ellenburg and Velma’s Restaurant in Wingdale, N.Y., for many years. She also enjoyed berrying and traveling.

She is survived by a daughter, Nancy Svarplaitis and her companion Don Watts of South Daytona, Fla.; a sister, Theresa Supernaw of Plattsburgh; three grandchildren, Terri, Thomas and Traci; two great-grandchildren, Nikita and Matthew; and several nieces and nephews.

Her son, Ronald died in 1977.

Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday at the O’Neill-Redden-Drown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Friday from St. Peter’s Church in Plattsburgh. Interment will follow in St. Edmund’s Cemetery in Ellenburg.

Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association.

PLATTSBURGH — Mrs. Gisele H. Schunke, 77, of Robert S. Long Apartments, Plattsburgh, passed away Sunday, Nov. 28, 2004, at the CVPH Medical Center.

She was born in Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada, on March 6, 1927, the daughter of Albert and Pavila (Gagne) Hardy.

Gisele had worked for the Putnam Hospital Center in Carmel, N.Y. She enjoyed bingo and playing cards. Gisele was a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 125 Ladies Auxiliary and St. John’s Church.

She was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Schunke; and her parents, Albert and Pavila Hardy.

She is survived by her daughters, Michele Rempe and her husband Steve of Novato, Calif., Gail Sarganis of Novato, Calif., and Cheryll Schunke Kelso of Washington State; her grandchildren, Zac, Rachel, Edmond, Wesley and Tela; her godson, Jean-Marc Courchesne and his wife Jeannette of Montreal, Canada; several nieces and nephews.

Calling hours will be from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the Brown Funeral Home, Plattsburgh. A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday from the Brown Funeral Home Chapel with the Rev. William G. Reamer, chaplain at CVPH Medical Center officiating. Interment will follow in Riverside Cemetery. Members of the VFW Post 125 Ladies Auxiliary are asked to meet Wednesday at 7 p.m. at the Brown Funeral Home for services.

Friends wishing may make donations to the American Diabetes Association.

Mineville — Helen I. LeBednik, 72, of Liberty Street, Mineville, N.Y., died Sunday, Nov. 28, 2004, at Fletcher Allen Health Care in Burlington, Vt.

She was born Aug. 28, 1932, in Port Henry, N.Y., the daughter of Alton and Anna (Scorsome) Wallace.

Helen was a volunteer for High Peaks Hospice in Mineville.

She is survived by her two daughters, Regina and John DeZalia and Linda and Joseph Whalen; her son, John and Barbara LeBednik; her grandchildren, Irving Mauran, Howard Mauran, Mea Stahl and Heather DeZalia; her great-grandchildren, Jonathan Stahl, Mauranda Stahl and Logan Mauran; her sister, Sandra Urban; her sister-in-law, Agnes Loughlin; several nieces and nephews; and her ever faithful and loving friends in Grover Hills; and beloved cat, Sammy.

She is predeceased by her husband, John LeBednik; her parents, Alton and Anna Wallace; her sisters, Lillie Haggett and Doreen Wallace; her brother, Thomas Wallace; and her companion Louis Ida.

Calling hours will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. Friday at the Harland Funeral Home in Port Henry. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 10 a.m. Saturday at Church of All Saints in Mineville. Burial will be in St. Peter and Paul Cemetery in Mineville.

Donations may be made in memory of Helen to the American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association or to High Peaks Hospice, Mineville, N.Y.

Downingtown, PA. — Brian Crew, 16, of Downingtown, Pa., died on Monday, Nov. 29, 2004, at Chester County Hospital.

Born in Pittsfield, Mass., Brian was the son of Kerry Pinsonnault Crew and Charlie Crew.

Brian, a member of St. Joseph Church and a dedicated student at Westtown School played varsity soccer and was on the basketball team, Brian’s passions extended beyond sports. He loved camping, all water sports and was an avid snow skier. Brian loved to be surrounded by family to whom he brought great joy with his quick wit and enthusiasm for adventure. He will be greatly missed by those whose lives he touched.

In addition to his parents, Brian is survived by his grandmother, Marge "Nan" Pinsonnault of Plattsburgh, N.Y.; and his loving aunts, uncles and cousins.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Friday at St. Joseph Church, 338 Manor Avenue, Downingtown, Pa. Family and friends may call from 5 to 9 p.m. Thursday at the James J. Terry Funeral Home, 736 East Lancaster Avenue, Downingtown, Pa. Interment will be private.

Contributions in Brian’s memory, may be made to Westtown School, Attention: Advancement Office, PO Box 1799, Westtown, PA 19395-1799. Please note that the contribution is in memory of Brian Crew.

Yvonne Tallman, 79, of Blanch Road, Merrill, died Nov. 30, 2004, at the Clinton County Nursing Home in Plattsburgh, N.Y.

Arrangements are incomplete through the Chateaugay Funeral Home and will be announced later.

LEO F. LACY, 88, of Plattsburgh, N.Y., and formerly of Toms River and Keansburg, N.J., died Saturday, Nov. 27, 2004, at Fletcher Allen Health Care, Burlington, Vt.

The family will receive friends from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday at the John P. Condon Funeral Home, 804 State Highway 36, Leonardo, N.J.

A funeral Mass will be held at 9:15 a.m. Thursday at St. Ann’s Church, Carr Ave., Keansburg.

Interment will follow at Mt. Olivet Cemetery, Middletown.

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Press-Republican, 170 Margaret St., P.O. Box 459, Plattsburgh, NY 12901

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