Maria K. Stransky, 84, passed away peacefully on January 31, 2008, in her home at Lutheran Care Center in Poughkeepsie, NY.  She was born in Elm, Germany on May 2, 1923 to Hans and Sophie Ruppert.  She came to the United States when she married Samuel Stransky in 1947, who predeceased her in 1976.  Her brother Fritz Ruppert also predeceased her.

 

Maria worked for the Arlington School District until her retirement in 1980.  She lived in Kings Apartments in Pawling, NY until moving to Lutheran Care Center in 2005.  Maria was an avid gardener who loved knitting, baking, and dancing the polka.  She touched many lives and will be remembered for her kind heart, friendly smile, and enthusiastic love of life.

 

She is survived by her son, Henry Stransky and wife Debbie of Union Vale, NY; her daughter Karen Watzel and husband Don of Colorado; four loving grandchildren, Linda and Jennifer Stransky of Union Vale, Natalie McKatty of Florida, and Ryan Watzel of Florida; several nieces, nephews, and cousins both in the United States and abroad; and many caring friends.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

 

Calling hours will be Fri., Feb. 8th from 2-4 and 7-9pm at the Horn & Thomes, Inc. Funeral Home, 83 East Main St., Pawling.  A Memorial Service will be held at the Lutheran Church of Christ the King, Pawling at 10am on Sat. Feb. 9th.  Burial to follow at Quaker Hill Cemetery.

 

In lieu of flowers, the family has requested donations be made in Maria’s memory to Lutheran Church of Christ the King, 14 Pine Drive, Pawling, NY 12564.