United States High School Yearbooks by County
Ellen Reilly, 66, garden designer
Ellen Reilly, who had worked for GE Capital in Stamford, Conn., died Thursday, May 1, in her home in Frederick, Md. She was formerly of South Salem and Ridgefield, Conn.
Born Dec. 23, 1941 in Manhattan, she attended Hastings-on-Hudson High schools and the Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School in New York.
Ms. Reilly was an administrative assistant with GE Capital Services Structured Finance Group in Stamford where she received many employee recognition awards.
“She was a talented garden designer and interior decorator, ” her family said.
She was a member of the Lewisboro Garden Club, Ridgefield Women’s Club and was a volunteer for the town of Ridgefield “Friendly Shopper” program.
She is survived by two daughters, Dawn Reilly-Gokhale and Kerry Frost; a son, Timothy Reilly; three grandsons, Aiden Frost and Jacob and Alexander Gokhale; a sister, Fay Mee; half brother Philip Reilly; stepsister, Marjorie Bach; stepbrother, John Callahan; and four nieces, Shayleen and Shannon Mee, Katie Bach and Mary Reilly.
Besides her parents, Thomas and Eleanor (Maguire) Reilly, she was predeceased by a son, John Reilly.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated today at 10:15 a.m. in St. Mary’s Church in Ridgefield. Burial will follow in Gate of Heaven cemetery in Hawthorne.
Memorial donations may be made to The American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, 22100 Gratiot Avenue, East Detroit, MI 48021.
The Kane Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
Edna-Wood, 101, formerly of Goldens Bridge
Edna Wood died on May 6 at Salem Hills Nursing Home in Purdys after a sudden illness. She was 101 and the mother of Richard Wood of South Salem.
Ms. Wood was born in Goldens Bridge, the daughter of Albert and Nellie Odell. She was married
to Ruben Wood of Pound Ridge for 36 years until his death in 1963. The couple had eight children.
On the occasion of Ms. Wood’s 100th birthday, her family gathered for a celebration. Ms. Wood was thrilled and surprised to receive greetings and proclamations from the town supervisors of Bedford, Pound Ridge and Lewisboro, as well as from State Senator Vincent Leibell and Senator Hillary Clinton. Her family said when she opened a card from President George W. Bush, she said, “Now, how did he know it was my birthday'”
Until a few weeks ago, Ms. Wood was zooming around the nursing home with her walker. Her family said she never lost her sense of humor or her amazing appetite. She was a touch of old Yankee lady and her family agrees that no one could top her when it came to baking an apple pie.
In addition to Mr. Wood, she is survived by her other son, Myron Wood of York, S.C., daughters Doris Wood of Pawling, Catherine Green of Ft. Pierce, Fla., Barbara Bell of New Fairfield, Conn., and Sharle Wood of Virginia Beach, Va., 10 grandchildren, and 10 great-grandchildren.
There will be a graveside burial service at Beck’s Hill cemetery on Route 123 in Vista on Saturday, May 10, at 2. There will be a gathering for refreshments following the service. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society.
Urbano 'Dino' DiNardo, 64, of South Salem
Urbano “Dino” DiNardo of South Salem died in the evening on Friday, April 4, at Danbury Hospital. He was 64.
Mr. DiNardo was the husband of Maureen (Connor) DiNardo.
He was born in Norwalk, Conn., on July 3, 1943, the son of Urbano and Bambina (Bucciarelli) DiNardo. He attended Lewisboro schools and graduated from John Jay High School in 1961.
Upon graduation from high school, he entered the U.S. Army and was a veteran of the Korean War.
Mr. DiNardo was a retired heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) technician. He enjoyed gardening, cooking, fly fishing, and NASCAR and held an interest in all sports.
“He enjoyed a good game no matter what the sport was, ” his daughter, Marissa, of South Salem, said.
In addition to his wife of 34 years and his daughter, he is survived by a stepson, Lawrence Epstein, of Wilsonville, Ore.
Funeral services were held Monday, April 7, in the Kane Funeral Home in Ridgefield, Conn., with the Rev. Paul Murphy, parochial vicar of St. Mary’s Church in Ridgefield, officiating.
Burial followed in St. Mary’s cemetery in Ridgefield.
Contributions to the American Cancer Society, Suite 159, 372 Danbury Road, Wilton, CT 06897, would be appreciated.
Providencia (Provi) Svensson, 58, teacher
Providencia (Provi) Rosa Svensson died on March 18 from complications of pneumonia. She was 58, a Katonah-Lewisboro school teacher and a former resident.
Most recently, she was a teaching assistant in the Katonah-Lewisboro School District, teaching problem-solving skills to fourth and fifth grade students at the four elementary schools. Her students, through art and verse, have expressed their sympathy and fondness for Ms. Svensson since her death. Meadow Pond Elementary School students made a plant adorned with many, many messages printed on the leaves of the flowers sharing their memories and kind thoughts, including the heart-felt comfort of two students who had recently lost their fathers. Increase Miller Elementary School students made a memory book describing Ms. Svensson as a patient, inspirational teacher who made learning fun. Similar remembrances were received from Katonah Elementary School and Lewisboro Elementary School students, all with gratitude from her family.
As a member of the PTA, she served on multiple committees that shaped academic programs for the middle school and high school, and interviewed candidates for teaching positions.
An avid photographer, Ms. Svensson was a familiar sight at John Jay sporting events, educational programs and theater shows over the years, becoming known as “Mama Sven.” Many of her photographs were published in The Lewisboro Ledger, seen in school yearbooks and booster club publications, and shared openly with the families of her many subjects.
Ms. Svensson also served, for a time, as secretary/treasurer of the Goldens Bridge Fire District, and counselor and coordinator of the Lewisboro Little Explorers Camp. Staff, parents and former campers at her memorial service, which was attended by more than 1, 000 people, recalled her enthusiasm for the summer program.
She volunteered with the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps (LVAC) annual fund-raising events, and the South Salem Library Fair. Her artistic endeavors extended to quilting and scrapbooking, and she was honored to have one of her quilt panels included in the South Salem Library Centennial Quilt.
Her husband, Paul, described her as “forever supportive” and was “amazed by her love, dedication to her extended family, children Erik and Sylvia, and unwavering loyalty to friends.” She lived her life by a simple motto: People who make a difference in your life are not always the most credentialed, wealthy or acknowledged. Instead, they are the ones that care.
Borderline Bookclub associates recalled her insights and love of reading. Carmen Torres of South Salem shared feelings similar to many friends and neighbors: “Provi did not like time to pass without hearing from her friends ... she loved to laugh and loved making others laugh ... It was a privilege to have known her.”
A vibrant and infectious spirit, all of her friends would say she accomplished much, but would have done so much more if she had not left us, all too young, her family said.
Owen (Tom) Craighead, 74, former resident and local business owner
Owen Lindsey (Tom) Craighead died March 28 at the home of his son Thomas and daughter-in-law Susan in Jacksonville, Fla., after a brief battle with cancer. He was 74 and a former Cross River resident.
Mr. Craighead was born in his family home in Cross River in 1934. He attended grammar school in the schoolhouse across the street from his home in Cross River (now the Cyrus Russell Community House) and graduated from Katonah High School in 1952. After high school, Mr. Craighead entered the Army and served with the 11th Airborne Division until discharge in 1955. While still in the service, he married
his high school sweetheart, Janice Rankin, in 1954. After discharge, Mr. Craighead worked for a phone company in Manhattan while skydiving on the weekends. Mr. Craighead is considered a pioneer in the sport of skydiving by many, according to his family, and it was one of his great passions. In 1974, Mr. Craighead bought the family business, Craighead Kennels, in Cross River and moved his family into the home in which he was born. Mr. Craighead was instrumental in the construction of the Lewisboro Volunteer Ambulance Corps (LVAC) headquarters building in Cross River and was a lifetime member of LVAC, the South Salem Fire Department and Lions International.
The Craigheads retired to Saugerties in 1989, then moved to Lubbock, Texas, in 1999, where he lived until his death. Mr. Craighead was active in the Saugerties Lions Club, South Plains Lions Club and Lubbock Habitat for Humanity. In later years, his greatest joy was growing his beard long and playing Santa Claus, his family said. He delivered gifts with other members of the South Plains Lions to underprivileged children throughout Lubbock.
Mr. Craighead believed in God, family and volunteerism, his family said, and backed those beliefs with action.
In addition to his son Thomas and his daughter-in-law Susan, Mr. Craighead is survived by his wife, Janice, of Lubbock; brother Douglas Craighead of Hillsboro, N.H.; daughters Carol Yugovich of Lubbock, and Lauren Maxwell of Pawling; son William Craighead of Port Townsend, Wash; and 13 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren. His family said he will be sorely missed. Mr. Craighead was preceded in death by his father, Robert, mother, Alice, and brother Robert.
Lucille P. Jordan, 94, former teacher
Lucille P. Jordan of South Salem died Sunday, March 23, at Somers Manor Nursing Home in Somers. She was 94.
Mrs. Jordan was born May 26, 1913, in Stacyville, Maine, the daughter of the late Orlando J. and the late Mary (Gosnell) Patterson.
She was a graduate of Sherman High School in Sherman, Maine, and Castine Normal School. She earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at Western Connecticut State University in Danbury, Conn.
Mrs. Jordan married
Alvin R. Jordan on July 3, 1937. Soon after, they moved to Katonah and then South Salem.
She was a teacher for three years in Stacyville, Maine, and then for 22 years at the South Salem Elementary School. She was the church organist for the First Presbyterian Church of Katonah for six years and then for 34 years at the South Salem Presbyterian Church, where she also was the choir director for 20 years. Mrs. Jordan was a longtime member and dean of the Danbury chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
In addition to Mr. Jordan, her husband of more than 70 years and a former Lewisboro town supervisor, she is survived by her son, David O. Jordan, and his wife, Anne, of New Rochelle; a daughter, Janet J. Clarkson, and her husband, John, of North Salem; her grandchildren, Bethany L. C. Durie of Stevensville, Mont., and Eric E. Jordan of New Rochelle; and her sister, Dorothy D. Dillon of Danbury, Conn.
A memorial service will be held at the South Salem Presbyterian Church at 111 Spring St. in South Salem on Monday, March 31, at 11. Private cremation was at Ferncliff Crematory in Hartsdale.
Contributions in her memory may be made to the South Salem Presbyterian Church.
