Published: 5/29/05

Peru — Helen J. Kirby, 75, of Route 22, Peru, died Friday, May 27, 2005, at her home after a very long courageous battle with Alzheimer' s. She was born on June 20, 1929, in Buffalo, N.Y., the daughter of Anna and Boleslaw Grzeszczuk.

Helen married Clark A. Kirby on June 1, 1952. They moved to Peru in 1955. Helen was the manager of "Your Host" Restaurant, manager of Triple "S" Redemption Center, assistant manager of Kay Jewelers, assistant manager of JoAnn Fabrics and stand manager at Rulf’s Orchard.

Helen was a communicate of St. Augustine’s Church in Peru. She was a member of the Sweet Adeline's, St. Augustine's Choir and the Peru, Keeseville Ecumenical Choir. She started and ran St. Augustine's St. Vincent Depaul's. Helen started the Hot Lunch Program for St. Augustine's School. She volunteered endlessly at St. Augustine's School from its very first day and at St. Augustine's Church.

Helen enjoyed gardening, singing, crossword puzzles, sewing, knitting and just about everything. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and person.

Survivors include five children, Ann R. Kirby of Peru, David "Ben" Kirby of Plattsburgh, Paul and Vickie Kirby of Peru, James "Jim" Kirby of Peru and Jane Kirby of New Bedford. Mass.; three grandchildren, Shawn Fefee and companion Chad Lane of Owls Head, James P. Kirby Jr. of Malone and Brad and Patty Hurlburt of Keene Valley; three great-grandchildren, Christopher, Samantha and Jayden of Owls Head; one sister, Alice Wegrzyn of Buffalo; one brother, Henry Grze of Blasdell; several nieces and nephews; beloved pets and guardians, Bluto, Libby Lee, Buster, Cali, Kiki and Lucky.

Calling hours will be held Sunday from 4 to 7 p.m. at the R.W. Walker Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Monday at 1 p.m. at St. Augustine’s Church in Peru. Burial will be in the parish cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice.

Plattsburgh — Phyllis A. Chaskey, 83, formerly of Leonard Avenue, passed away on Friday, May 27, 2005, at Clinton County Nursing Home in Plattsburgh. She was born in Schuyler Falls on Jan. 3, 1922, daughter of Benjamin and Elsie (Edgley) Westcott.

Phyllis was a graduate of Plattsburgh High School and attended Plattsburgh Business Institute. She married Fred Chaskey on July 17, 1948, at St. John's Rectory. Phyllis attended John XXIII Community Newman Center and St. John's Church.

Phyllis is survived by three children, Shari Ryan and her husband, Norman, of Plattsburgh, Joseph Chaskey and his wife, Enid, of Middletown and Janice Dosiek and her husband, Mark, of Chazy Lake; three grandchildren, Karin Ryan, Cory Ryan and Daniel Chaskey; and many nieces and nephews.

Phyllis was predeceased by her husband, Fred H. Chaskey, on Oct. 19, 1988; three sisters, Gladys Chaskey, Mabel Kenney and Mildred Shene Baker; and a brother, Carlton Westcott.

Calling hours will be Sunday, May 29, from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Brown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated on Monday, May 30, at 11 a.m. from St. John's Church in Plattsburgh. Burial will follow in Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Plattsburgh.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Phyllis' memory may be made to the Activities Department at Clinton County Nursing Home.

Marguerite M. Dupraw, 89, of Saranac, died Saturday, May 28, 2005, at the Meadowbrook Healthcare Facility in Plattsburgh.

Arrangements were incomplete Saturday evening. A complete obituary will be in Monday's Press-Republican.

Arrangements are with the O'Neill-Redden-Drown Funeral Home in Plattsburgh.

Mary Hawksley Cummings, 92, of Midlothian, Va., and a native of Ticonderoga, died Tuesday, May 24, 2005, in Virginia.

Calling hours and a Mass of Christian burial were held in Midlothian, Va. The Rite of Committal will take place on Wednesday at 10 a.m. at the family plot of the Valley View Cemetery of Ticonderoga. The Rev. Mr. Elliott A. Shaw will officiate.

Local arrangements are under the direction of the Wilcox & Regan Funeral Home of Ticonderoga.

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