Eileen D. "Tootsie" Bondra, a Dutchess County resident since 2005, formerly of Peekskill and Queens, surrounded by her family, passed away peacefully on Saturday, March 16, 2024 at Northern Dutchess Hospital in Rhinebeck, NY. She was 88.
One of ten siblings, she was born in Queens, NY on June 19, 1935, daughter of the late John and Rose (Mallon) Makarius.
Eileen held many jobs throughout her career, including her longtime position as Bakery Manager for Finast Supermarket in Ossining, NY.
Affectionately known as "Tootsie", she was dedicated to her family and always loved cooking and hosting holiday gatherings and barbeques. She will be remembered for her selfless and generous spirit, as she always went out of her way to help those in need. Eileen also enjoyed crafting and was a former parishioner of the Church of the Assumption in Peekskill, NY. Above all else, she truly cherished being a grandmother.
On June 29, 1958, she married John Bondra in Peekskill. Eileen was predeceased by her husband on January 22, 1998.
She is survived by her daughter, Judith Dalbis & her partner Matt Viviano of Lagrangeville, NY; her grandson, Nicholas Dalbis & his wife Samantha; her granddaughter, Haley Dalbis; as well as many nieces and nephews along with their families; and countless other loving relatives & friends.
In addition to her husband and parents, Eileen was also predeceased by her son, John M. Bondra, in 2015; her son-in-law, Daniel Dalbis, in 1996; nine siblings: Richard, Rita, Arthur, John, Walter, Lester, Roseann, Walter, and Kenneth; and her most beloved dog, Izzy.
Calling hours will be held from 4 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, March 19 at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction, NY. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, March 20 at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Church, 1925 Route 82, Lagrangeville, NY. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery, 1055 Oregon Road, Cortlandt Manor, NY.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dutchess County SPCA, 636 Violet Avenue, Hyde Park, NY 12538 (www.dcspca.org).
For online tributes, you can visit Eileen's Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.