Millie J. Straub, 81, wife of Frank G. Straub for 53 years, left for her journey to be with her God on Thursday, February 3, 2011 at the NYS Veterans' Home at Montrose after a long illness.
Born in Plains, Kansas on January 23, 1930 and raised in Utica, she was the daughter of Donald C. Cooley and Ethel Casler Cooley. She attended schools in Utica followed by early employment at the First Bank & Trust Co. (HSBC) where she met her husband. They were married on January 26, 1957 at St. Francis De Sales Church in Utica where they initially made their home and then moved to Brooklyn, followed by homes in Clinton, Hopewell Junction and finally, Fishkill.
After raising her children, she was employed for 10 years at the Mid Hudson Medical Group. She enjoyed traveling to Maine, Vermont and Cape Cod and especially liked vacationing in Alaska, Hawaii and Bermuda. Her greatest joy was her four grandchildren. She was a prolific reader. In her early years, she liked working at St. Columba School where her children were students and participating in the many activities at the school and church. Her friends were many and she loved them all.
Millie is survived by her loving family: her husband, Frank; her children, Frank (Chip) and his wife Marybeth Ross of Cortlandt Manor and Lori and her husband Scott McNulty of Rowayton, CT; her grandchildren, Adam, Emma, Matthew and Ryan; her brother, Richard Cooley of Utica; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers, Clayton, Harry, Donald and Raymond Cooley; and her sisters, Ethel May Doolen and Alice Cooley.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday from 1 to 4 pm at the McHoul Funeral Home, Inc., 895 Route 82, Hopewell Junction. The Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday at 11 am at St. Mary, Mother of the Church, Fishkill. A private burial for only the family will be in Fishkill Rural Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Hospice Foundation, Inc., 374 Violet Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601; Alzheimer's Association, 2 Jefferson Plaza, Suite 103, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601; or the National Parkinson Foundation, PO Box 5018, Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018.
The family would like to extend its appreciation to the wonderful staff in the Bear Mountain Unit at the NYS Veterans' Home especially Ekbo, Kate and Ellie and the many other employees who were all very caring and kind; and to the exceptional staff from Hospice of Poughkeepsie who helped care for Millie while she was at home along with Margaret Capozzi, Ellen Newhard and Mary Cameron who were always ready to give a helping hand and companionship. Bless you all.