1946 - 2021
OBITUARY
WAPPINGERS FALLS - Katherine Mary Beale, 74, entered into eternal rest on Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at the Pines at Poughkeepsie Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation.
Mrs. Beale, a lifelong resident of Wappingers Falls, was born on August 4, 1946 to the late Sally (Riley) and Thomas Holohan. She graduated from St. Mary’s School in 1960 and Roy. C. Ketcham High School in 1964. She attended St. Joseph’s School of Practical Nursing in Yonkers graduating as a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) in 1966. She later graduated Dutchess Community College, earning an associate’s degree in nursing and becoming licensed as a Registered Nurse (RN).
Katherine is survived by her husband of 47 years, John, and her two children, William and his wife, Erin of Wappinger, and Elizabeth Liguori, and her husband, Anthony, of Poughkeepsie. Stepchildren include Susan Beale of Albany, John Beale, Jr. and his wife Valerie of Huntington Beach, California, Whitney Thompson and her husband Kevin of Sarasota, Florida, and Stephanie MacBeth of Watervliet. Her grandchildren include Ryan Liguori, Alyssa Liguori, Sophia Liguori, and Liam Beale. She is survived by three sisters and two brothers: Wendy Dansereau of Wynantskill, Patricia Costello and her husband David of Wappingers Falls, Sheila McGayhey and her husband Eugene of LaGrange, Tom Holohan and his wife Lucille of Fishkill, and F. Michael Holohan and his wife Patricia of Poughquag. In addition, Katherine is survived by step-grandchildren and dozens of nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Katherine’s nursing career began in the intensive care unit at the former St. Francis Hospital in Poughkeepsie. She later served as the company nurse for Western Publishing in Poughkeepsie, until its closure in 1983. She was most proud of her work as a nursing student clinical instructor for Dutchess County BOCES, where she retired as Lead Teacher for Certified Nursing Assistant Training in 2011. During a career that spanned over two decades at BOCES, Katherine had the unique opportunity to inspire and mentor hundreds of future nurses and nursing assistants. Many of these same former students would come to Katherine’s aid and provide care for her during her illness, which brought great comfort to her.
As a lifelong parishioner of St. Mary’s Church in Wappingers Falls, she was active in many organizations within the church and school, including CYO basketball, where she played and went on to coach, and holding office in the St. Mary’s School Mother’s Guild, where she organized annual fashion shows and Christmas fairs. Many days and nights were also spent working on the annual St. Mary’s Parish Fair. Katherine was proud of her Irish heritage, enthusiastically serving for over two decades on the Dutchess County St. Patrick’s Parade Committee, where she co-chaired the Scholarship and Emerald Ball committees. She was also a Life Member of the Wappingers Historical Society and enjoyed participating in events at the Mesier Homestead. Her community involvement also included being a coach for Town of Wappinger Little League. Katherine was also a recipient of the highest honor in Girl Scouting, the Curved Bar, and spent over ten years as a Girl Scout Leader.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Vassar Warner Home and the Pines Center for Nursing and Rehabilitation for their compassion and care over the past four years.
Arrangements are being handled by Delahanty Funeral Home. Due to COVID, there will be no calling hours. A mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10am on Monday, January 25 at St. Mary’s Church, Clinton Street, Wappingers Falls. Burial will be in the St. Mary’s Cemetery. All are welcome to attend the funeral mass and burial service, which will provide for proper social distancing. Face coverings are requested.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to Dutchess County St. Patrick’s Parade Committee Scholarship Fund. PO Box 1352, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590
MASS OF CHRISTIAN BURIAL Monday, January 25
10:00 AM
St. Mary's Church 11 Clinton Street, Wappingers Falls, NY
INTERMENT
St. Mary's Cemetery
19 Clinton Street, Wappingers Falls, NY