Jane Alva Frazer Quallo
Jane Alva Frazer Quallo passed away peacefully at home with her family on Jan. 20, 2025 at the age of 99 and 3 months. She was born on Sept. 16, 1925, in Tela, Spanish Honduras, Central America to the late Jane and Arthur Frazer. She was baptized in the Anglican Church and was given the name “Alva” by which she was lovingly known to her family and friends. Her family moved from Tela to Belize where the opportunities were greater.
Alva is the first born of five siblings and predeceased by her brothers, Carlton, Raymond and Herbert and is survived by one sister, Ismay Frazer Williams who resides in Florida.
Alva was a stay-at-home mother to care for her children while her husband worked. In later years she settled in New York and worked for a famous designer in the Garment District, where she always bragged that she met “famous folks” including John F. Kennedy Jr.
Alva was blessed to have 10 children, and is survived by her daughters, Barbara (Babsie) Frazer, Eleanor (Ellie)/Balcia) Moshier, Sons Henry Humes (Pops), Ernest Engleton. (Skipper). She is predeceased by her children, William, John, Michelle, Erica, Judith and Dorothy. She is the proud grandmother of 29 grandchildren (includes grandchildren and great-grandchildren). Alva loved her family and was a devoted mother and grandmother. Alva travelled with her grandchildren who lived in New York to Belize on a yearly basis, so that they could know their heritage which was important to her.
She travelled to America and settled in the Bronx, later moving to Westchester where she resided with her daughter and son until her death.
Alva had a unique sense of humor; she loved to laugh and possessed a smile that is unforgettable. She loved to dance and sing and love to dress with matching hats and bright colors. She never attended a church service without a “hat” which was her signature. She was a faithful servant to the Lord until the end and never forgot to say “The Lord’s Prayer.”
Annette K. Berry
Annette K. Berry, 81, passed away peacefully on Jan. 13, 2025 at Hudson Valley Hospital in Cortlandt Manor with her daughter and granddaughters at her side.
Annette was born on Feb. 15, 1943, in Floral Park, NY the daughter of George and Florence (Cedarblad) Kerr.
She was a clerical worker for Kayson Chevrolet in Croton-on-Hudson and Curry Chevrolet in Yorktown. She then worked for the City of Peekskill’s Senior Nutrition Program.
Annette was very loving and outgoing and was known affectionately as “Mom” or “Nana” to those who loved her. She enjoyed arts and crafts, especially crochet and needlepoint. She also loved card games and playing Bingo.
Annette is predeceased by her parents and her husband, Geoffrey Berry. She is survived by her daughters Luann Nolen of Fishkill and Susanne Valentino- Berry of Peekskill; grandchildren Emily Berry Spivey, Shannon Bush, Israel Aponte, Angela Bush, Zachary Nolen Pike, and Hannah Nolen; great-grandchildren Samantha Berry Spivey, Trevant McAllister, Amaiya McAllister, Gwendolyn Berry Spivey, Jahzier Smith, and special “adopted” daughter RoseMarie Kall; and a host of other family members and friends.
William “Bill” Papenfuss
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of William “Bill” Papenfuss on Jan. 27, 2025. Bill was born in the Bronx on Jan. 22, 1940. Several years later, he and his family moved to Amawalk.
Bill is survived by his wife, June Heitman, two daughters, Lauren (Mike) Randecker, and their children, Ryan, Ty, and Brynn, and by Alison (David) Voetsch and their children, Aubrey and Jameson.
He is also survived by his sister Eleanor Malueg and her children, Steven Malueg and Linda Murnane. Bill is also survived by his nephew, Ben Giancola. He was predeceased by his sister, Ruth Giancola.
Bill, a retired sheet metal worker, was an avid gardener, hunter, and, most of all, fisherman.
Wayne M. Busse
It is with great sorrow that we announce the passing of Wayne M. Busse, who left us on Wednesday, Jan. 22, 2025 at the age of 68. A larger-than-life figure in every sense, Wayne was the kind of man whose presence filled a room with warmth, laughter, and love. His spirit was contagious, and his generosity knew no bounds. He was a man who made a difference in the lives of everyone he met.
Wayne was born on Aug. 3, 1956, in Peekskill to Philip M. and Elizabeth (Chadwick) Busse. He graduated from Walter Panas High School in 1974, where his interests in cars, sports, and music blossomed and continued throughout his life. After graduating from high school, Wayne enlisted and served four years in the U.S. Navy. In 1979, he married his high school sweetheart and the love of his life, Doreen (Cozzi), and spent 45 wonderful years together until his death.
From a young age, Wayne was no stranger to hard work. He was a foreman for the NYC District Council of Carpenters Local #2287, Floor Coverers Union, for many years until his retirement in 2011. However, he also had an affinity for adventure and fun. One of Wayne’s greatest adventures was raising his sons, Matthew and Christopher. As a father, he could not have been prouder of their achievements.
He was a dedicated coach for several of his sons’ teams, including Peekskill LaPolla Little League, CYO basketball, and WPBA baseball. In the off-season, Wayne enjoyed numerous cross-country trips with his family and loved the bright lights of Vegas.
He volunteered as a Board Member and President of the Meadows Condominium Association in Peekskill for almost 40 years. He also assisted the residents of Villa St. Francis in recent years and quickly became a beloved handyman and groundskeeper.
Wayne is survived by his wife, Doreen; sons, Navy Captain Matthew (Kate) and Army Lieutenant Colonel Christopher (Emily); grandchildren, Ava and Ryan; loving mother, Elizabeth; sister, Donna; and granddogs, Dexter and Bugsy. He is predeceased by his father, Philip, and brother-in-law, Francis Sokolik. He holds the honor of being favorite uncle to his many nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews, in addition to being “Dad #2” to Katie (Sal) and Jessica.
Rene’ R. Meneses
Rene’ R. Meneses passed away on Jan. 27, 2025. He was 87 years old. Born Rene’ Raul Meneses on Oct. 19, 1937 in New York City. He is predeceased by his wife Ophelia, both parents and his brothers Sadja and Johnny.
Rene’ was proud to serve in the Marines. He always had a smile on his face and he was the life of the party. He loved spending time with his family, playing golf, watching his favorite teams the New York Giants and the New York Yankees, and listening to all kinds of music – he loved to dance.
He is survived by his son Rene’ Andre and wife Shirley, his daughter Leslie Ann and her husband Dave, his sisters Yara and Diana Dias, and sister-in-laws Margaret Russo, Linda Fountaine , Sandra Cartica and Marilyn Meneses.
He will be greatly missed by his grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews and his many friends
Marian J. Lagana
Marian J. Lagana of Cortlandt Manor passed away on Jan. 23 at the age of 81. Marian was born on March 19, 1943 to Sebastian and Lena Leonardi in the Bronx.
She was predeceased by her husband Joseph and sister Concetta (Vincent), and survived by her children Angelo (Celeste), Joseph (Maria), and Regina (Adam). She was a devoted mother, grandmother (Nonna), and great-grandmother.
Marian grew up on Arthur Avenue in the Bronx. There she met Joseph and they married in June 1969. They later moved to Cortlandt Manor where they built their home and raised their three children. Once her children were grown, she went back to work for the county as a secretary at the Department of Social Services in Peekskill.
Marian loved to plant flowers, cook, swim, and most of all, her family. She was dedicated to the Catholic Church (Graymoor) where she and her husband sang in the choir for many years and gained many lifelong friends. Her smile would light up the room, as many described it. Her memory will live on, but she will be greatly missed.
