Doris Boddie
Doris Boddie, beloved wife, mother, sister, aunt, and friend, age 74 of Mohegan Lake, passed away surrounded by her loving family on Feb. 7, 2025. She was born on June 15, 1950, in Reading, Penn. to Esther and Warren Dengler. Doris was a devoted wife to Robert Sr. and a loving mother to Robert Jr.
Doris grew up in humble beginnings in Reading with her loving brother Bruce, attending and graduating from Reading High School in 1968 and Millersville State College in 1972 with her teaching degree.
Doris met the love of her life and soulmate, Robert Sr., in 1974 and married on Aug. 28, 1978, in Reading, moving back to Robert’s hometown of Peekskill. Doris would go on to live a life dedicated to family and community. She began working for Aunt Bessie’s Open Door and Peekskill Head Start educating the youth of the Peekskill community, ultimately retiring as executive director of the Westchester Community Opportunity Program. Doris had her son, Robert Jr. in 1983. Doris was active in the Peekskill Parent Teacher Association, Peekskill City School District committees, and Peekskill area organizations and was a Life Member of Columbian Hose Co. No. 1 in support of her husband and son.
She is survived by her devoted husband Robert Sr. of 47 years. Doris leaves behind her son Robert Jr. of Garrison and her brother Bruce (Marian) Dengler of Reading. She was the proud aunt to her niece Alysson (Benjamin) Robitzer of Reading, nephew Andrew Dengler of Leesport, Penn. and great aunt to Alec, Axel and Lillian. Doris was predeceased by her father, Warren Dengler; and mother, Esther Dengler.
In addition to her immediate family, Doris is survived by the many friends whom she considered family and their children who became her surrogate children. They will all fondly remember her kindness, patience, acceptance and fun-loving personality. It is widely said that everyone who knew her loved her. Her beaming smile and enthusiasm for life was something that drew everyone to her. May she rest in peace knowing that she has influenced generations to be better human beings.
Elizabeth (Beth) C. Murphy
Elizabeth (Beth) C. Murphy, 70, passed on Feb. 11, 2025 from melanoma at her home in Peekskill with her immediate family at her bedside. Beth was born on Long Island on Nov. 18, 1954 and grew up in both Long Island and Lexington, Ky. A longtime resident of Westchester County, Beth previously lived for 33 years and raised a family in Yorktown Heights.
Beth is survived by her husband of 43 years, Henry (Harry) Murphy; her daughter Sarah Murphy, son Brendan Murphy, and daughter-in-law Dana Ferine; her parents Virginia Louis and Harry P. Colgan, Jr.; her siblings Suzanne Shea, Harry Colgan III, and Belinda Colgan; and many beloved cousins, nieces, and nephews. Beth is also survived by her almost two-year-old granddaughter, Fiona Murphy. Fiona brought great joy and happiness to Beth over the last two years of her life.
Beth enjoyed hiking in the Hudson Valley, going to art museums and traveling with her husband. Beth was happy doing anything as long as she was with her family. She was a voracious reader, tackled the New York Times crossword puzzle and Wordle every day, and looked forward to springtime flower planting. Beth loved music and always had something good playing through a speaker. But the thing that Beth enjoyed most was sitting and reading books with her granddaughter, Fiona – they were inseparable and spent several days together every week.
Beth graduated from SUNY New Paltz in 1976 with a degree in education. After working with developmentally disabled children for several years, she utilized her education skills with the IRS in their training division. While her children were young, she worked from home for American Sports Data, Inc. performing data analysis. Beth later worked in school administration for the Yorktown Central School District, Somers Central School District, and finally, until her retirement in 2020, in the Garrison Union Free School District as district clerk and assistant to the superintendent.
In honor of Beth’s love of hiking in the Hudson Valley, and in lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to a Hudson Valley non-profit that builds and rehabilitates trails in many of Beth’s favorite parks.
Elizabeth Emily Pataki
“Life Dancer” Elizabeth “Erszebet” Emily Pataki, BSN, MS (born Nov. 30, 1938 in Peekskill) is now dancing among the stars (died Dec. 24, 2024, Sacramento, Calif.). She transitioned to the celestial plane in her home, surrounded and comforted by family. She is predeceased by her father, Janos “John” Josef “Gramps” Pataki, II, her mother, Helen Ida “Nana” (née Schweizer) Pataki, her sister-in-law, Lalitha S. Harben, her brother-in-law, Siv Raman, and her sister, Holly Mary Pataki-Bettin. Mrs. Pataki was a first cousin of former Gov. George Pataki. They lived on properties adjacent to the Pataki farm and played together as children on an almost daily basis.
Elizabeth is survived by her husband, Dennis M. Hubbard; her son, Bruce S. Hubbard and his daughter, Jo’ Schrader; her son, Barry S. Hubbard and his wife Sally and his stepson Ethan; her daughter, Heather A. Wright and her husband Matthew and her children Kassandra and Connor; and her son, Jonathan M. Hubbard and his wife Caitlin and his daughter Hannaliese and his son Marshall and their son Fisher; and her sister, Margit H. Pataki.
Mrs. Pataki served as a neonatal, psych, and ICU nurse for over 40 years and she was well respected and deeply appreciated by her peers and her patients. She was also an advocate for the common man and for the social safety net. As such, she was a lifelong member and supporter of labor unions; she was a shop steward and eventually a board member of the California Nurses Association, and she regularly spoke to politicians and gave speeches at various national media events. Elizabeth loved arts and culture and began playing the piano as a child at home. She pursued a bachelor’s of music at CSU- Sacramento and she required all of her children to play an instrument through high school. She was a lifelong member of the Sacramento Saturday Club, an esteemed, local, philanthropic organization that gives scholarships to music students.
Donations may be sent to the Sacramento Saturday club.
Barbara M. Risoli
Lifelong Peekskill resident Barbara M. Risoli (née Chefalo) passed away peacefully on Feb. 12, 2025 at the age of 88. Born on July 14, 1936 to the late Gerald and Julia (nee Pacia) Chefalo. Barbara was predeceased by her sister, Leona M. Fisher (née Chefalo). Barbara owned Park Motors of Peekskill, founded by her late father in 1946.
Barbara graduated from Peekskill High School in 1954, where she began her courtship with the love of her life, Alexander J. “Buddy” Risoli. Married on June 21, 1958, at Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Peekskill, Barbara and Buddy, until he died in 2016, built a life filled with family, friends, and service to their beloved hometown.
Channeling her passion for cooking and keeping everyone well-fed, Barbara was the Director of the Peekskill Nutrition Program for over 25 years since its inception in 1976, where she, among other things, championed the take-home supper program, ensuring that vulnerable senior citizens remained healthy.
In 2012, along with her husband, Barbara was named Distinguished Italians by Festa Italiana, and she expressed her pride in being Italian American and, more importantly, being from Peekskill. Barbara loved being a true “Peekskill girl,” noting her family’s 130-year-old roots in the city. To that end, Barbara volunteered with numerous organizations in Peekskill, including the Jr. Women’s Club, where she was president, and PTAs at Hillcrest, PMS, and PHS, where she also held leadership positions. She was a dedicated Girl Scout leader and a Habitat for Humanity volunteer. Barbara began the 1st grade CCD class at Assumption Church, teaching for over 15 years. With veteran librarian Claire Finnegan, Barbara started a RIF reading van to bring the love of reading to all children in Peekskill. She will be remembered as “Grandma” by the countless young people whose lives she touched.
Barbara is survived by her beloved daughters, Allison L. Risoli, of Peekskill; Carolyn M. Risoli and her husband, Joseph M. Silvestri, of New York City; her two cherished grandchildren, Alex and Olivia Silvestri, of New York City. Nothing brought Barbara greater joy than being “Nonna” to her grandchildren, who were the light of her life. Her “baby” brother, Gerard A. “Roddy” Chefalo of Saginaw, MI, also survives her along with multiple nieces and nephews, to whom she is Aunt Bobbie.
The family wishes to express gratitude to all those who loved and supported Barbara in her later years after losing her home of 60 years to fire – from those who filled her with new friendships at the Villa St. Francis to wonderful caregivers, especially Mariah Garrett.
Jennifer Alyce Wallin
Jennifer Alyce Wallin passed away on Feb. 8, 2025 at the age of 48 after a long battle with a terminal illness. She was born in Peekskill on March 1, 1976, to Marianne (Wallin) Picariello, and to the late Eugene L. Wallin. Jennifer was a graduate of Mercy University with a Bachelor of Science in Behavioral Science, a member of the Criminal Justice Honor Society, and a Special Olympics coach.
Jennifer will be lovingly remembered by her mother Marianne, aunt and godmother Alyce (Charles), uncles Bruce (Christal) and Michael (Cheri), cousins Tasha, Fiona, Jessica, Alyssa, Charles Jr., Mark, Cheryl, wife Tina, and daughter Francesca.She is also survived by her second family of lifelong friends throughout the country whom she cherished and loved. Jennifer was a proud pet parent to Elsa Belle and Mr. Stumps. She loved all the fur babies she had throughout her life and was a dedicated supporter of the Goathouse Refuge in Pittsboro, N.C. and their mission to provide every cat in need with a forever home.
She is predeceased by her father Eugene Wallin, brother Matthew Wallin, grandmother Alyce Picariello, aunt Susan Picariello, and her uncle Charles Picariello.
Jennifer was a passionate sports fan, always cheering for her New York Yankees and New York Giants. She had a deep love for music, attending countless concerts and performances throughout her life. Alongside her, always, were her cherished friends and family.
Jennifer took great pride in the life she built and the memories she created, which will live on in the hearts of those who knew her. Everyone fortunate enough to be loved by Jennifer knew she was a kind and loving person who cared deeply for those around her.
