Joan Marie Gaetano
With deep love and cherished memories, we announce the passing of Joan Marie Gaetano, a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Joan passed away peacefully on June 4, 2025, surrounded by the love of her family.
Born on January 15, 1941, to Anthony and Ethel Harbolic, Joan was one of seven daughters in a lively and loving home. She was part of a remarkable sisterhood that shaped her life with joy, laughter, and unbreakable bonds.
She was preceded in death by her sisters Theresa, Dorothy, Babe, and Marlene, and is survived by her loving sisters Sandy and Karen.
Joan married her high school sweetheart, Nicholas Anthony Gaetano, with whom she shared a beautiful life filled with devotion, resilience, and lasting love. Together, they raised two daughters, Krista Marie and Julie Gaetano, who were the heart of their world. Nicholas passed in September 2017, but the love they shared remained a constant in Joan’s life.
Her legacy continues through her daughters, her cherished grandchildren — Brittanny, Nicholas, and Giovanna — and her six great-grandchildren: Talia, Giulianna, GianThomas, Gianna, Luca, and Vincenzo. Joan was a proud matriarch whose love and guidance will echo through the generations.
Joan was known for her quiet strength, her deep compassion, and the honesty she offered to all who entered her life. Her home was a haven of tradition, love, and comfort — a place where holidays were filled with laughter, and no one ever left hungry or unloved.
She leaves behind a legacy of strength, resilience, and deep family roots. Joan lived her life with humility and grace, and her memory will forever be a blessing to those who knew her.
We will always remember her infamous line whenever we left her house, “Keep it under 100.”
Visitation will be held at Joseph F. Nardone Funeral Home on Sunday, June 8, 2025, from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm
Chapel service will be held at Joseph F. Nardone Funeral Home on Monday, June 9, 2025, at 10:00 am
Interment to follow at Hillside Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you carry forward her legacy by sharing time with your loved ones, keeping family traditions alive, and extending compassion to others, just as she did every day of her life.
(Sourced from Joseph F. Nardone Funeral Home)
Phyllis Skolsky Nitkin
Phyllis Skolsky Nitkin, a lifelong Peekskill resident and beloved community advocate, passed away April 20, 2025, at the age of 83, surrounded by her family.
Born to Dorothy and Milton Skolsky, Phyllis grew up in Peekskill, where her parents owned Skolsky’s Stationery and Gift Shop. She carried forward their entrepreneurial spirit and community-minded values, raising her own family in Peekskill and helping shape the local business landscape. As the longtime manager of Nan Flower Lingerie, she brought grace, style, and a personal touch to generations of customers. Later, she served with pride at the New York Power Authority for 15 years. A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology, her passion for merchandising and people was evident in all she did.
Phyllis was the founding president of Pride in Peekskill, a dedicated board member of the Paramount Center for the Arts, and the driving force behind the effort to save the local DMV office, gathering over 28,000 signatures in a remarkable show of determination and love for her town. Her efforts earned her numerous honors, including Distinguished Woman of the Year by the Peekskill-Cortlandt Chamber of Commerce and the designation of “Phyllis Nitkin Day” by the mayor.
She had a gift for rallying others, creating connection and momentum wherever she went. Her warmth, drive, and deep pride in Peekskill were unmistakable and unforgettable.
At the center of her world was her family. Phyllis was a devoted mother to Stephen Nitkin and his wife Dana, and Jill DiMeglio. She was a proud and adoring grandmother to Jake and Jesse DiMeglio and Max and Lucas Nitkin. As a single parent who juggled many responsibilities, she modeled resilience, love, and integrity. To her grandchildren, she was simply “Meme,” a source of laughter, guidance, and unwavering support.
Phyllis leaves behind a legacy of service, strength, and love. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered in the community she loved and helped shape.
(Sourced from Ballard-Durand Funeral & Cremation Services)
