Obituary of Anna L. Martinson

Anna L. Martinson, a resident of the Town of Poughkeepsie, entered into rest Monday, September 5, 2011 at her home after a courageous battle with kidney cancer. She was 84. Daughter of the late James and Fortuna DeVivo Ambrosio, she was born August 31, 1927 in Brooklyn. On August 17, 1952, she married Curtis D. Martinson in a double wedding with her twin sister, Autilia and her husband, Paul Rawald at the Church of the Nativity in Ozone Park. Mr. Martinson preceded her in death on June 3, 2000. Anna was a devout Catholic and parishioner of St. Mary's Church in Poughkeepsie as well as a communicant at Mount Alvernia Retreat Center in Wappingers Falls for many years. During World War II, she worked in a U.S. Defense Plant building supplies for the war effort. Prior to her retirement, Anna had worked as a retail sales clerk. Anna was a devoted mom, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend. Attending family gatherings and holiday dinners were among her favorite things to do. Anna enjoyed attending senior dances with her friends; often times enjoying the music of her son, Bob. In her leisure time, Anna collected antique dolls and other collectibles to decorate her home. Anna was a frequent QVC shopper always anticipating the arrival of her packages. One of her favorite sayings was "Thank God for QVC." Survivors include her children, James E. Martinson and his wife, Cindy of Wappingers Falls, Robert C. Martinson of the Town of Poughkeepsie and Mary C. Van Benschoten and her husband, Wallace of Lagrangeville; her sisters, Raffaela Ambrosio and Autilia "Tillie" Rawald; her brothers, Peter, Michael, Joseph and Richard Ambrosio; her grandchildren, Thomas and Nicholas Van Benschoten and David and Jeffrey Martinson and numerous nieces and nephews. Family will receive friends on Thursday, September 8, 2011 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Straub Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls, New York 12590. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 10 a.m. on Friday, September 9 at St. Mary's Church, Clinton Street, Wappingers Falls. Interment will follow in Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery, South Avenue, Poughkeepsie. Memorial donations in Anna's name may be made to the American Cancer Society, 2678 South Rd., Suite 103, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 or the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, 30 Glenn St., Suite 409, White Plains, NY 10603. Our family would like to express their gratitude for the loving friendship and compassionate care given to our mom, especially Dr. Agoliati and Dr. Reyes; the Hospice Staff including, Dr. Javier, Sally and Jennifer as well as Rose our neighbor. For directions to the funeral home or to send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.