Obituary of Dorothy Petrusyk

Dorothy “Dottie” Petrusyk, 89, of Wappingers Falls, New York, passed away peacefully in her sleep on May 3, 2025. She has joined her devoted and loving husband of 38 years, Ted, whom she missed dearly.  

Born in Brooklyn, New York on February 1, 1936, Dorothy was one of two daughters of Michael and Madeline Cluska. Dorothy graduated from Washington Irving High School of Manhattan, and upon graduation became a bookkeeper for American Chickle. Through mutual friends she met Richard Theodore “Ted” Petrusyk, and they were married a few years later in the Russian Transfiguration Church on May 23, 1959, in Brooklyn, New York. The two began their marriage in Sunnyside, Queens but moved to Poughkeepsie in 1963 when Ted was offered an engineering position with IBM. Her mother, Madeline, of Russian heritage, brought her up in the Russian and Eastern Orthodox faith. Her devotion to her faith began early on so she became a Sunday school teacher as a teenager in high school.  This commitment to the church continued as she, together with Ted, were among the founders of St. Gregory the Theologian Orthodox Church in Wappingers Falls, NY. At St. Gregory’s she was a lifelong member of the church choir and participated in the management of numerous charitable events. It was there that she and Ted formed many close friendships with fellow parishioners who became her lifelong friends who she felt were also like family.  

In 1974, Dorothy began her 25-year elementary school career in the Wappingers Central School District where she touched the lives of many and was beloved by her students and fellow faculty.  Working closely with fellow teachers she started her career in education as a teacher’s aide and then furthered her own education to become a teaching assistant. In this role she worked to provide instruction to small groups of children with learning disabilities under the guidance of the special education teacher.  During these years Dorothy also became a proficient seamstress and baker. She was known for her beautiful and delicious platters of Christmas cookies during the holidays that she generously gave to family, friends and neighbors. The cookie recipes that were passed down are now treasured by her children and grandchildren.  

After her husband Ted's death, in 1997, she met her companion of 28 years, Thomas Walsh of Poughkeepsie.  At this time, she rekindled her interest in dancing that began in her youth as a member of a Russian Folk Dancing Troupe. She and Thomas began ballroom dancing classes that took them to functions all over the Hudson Valley and beyond. If there was a good polka band in town Dorothy was sure to be there! 

The Landing Senior Living of Poughkeepsie in Memory Care was where Dorothy spent the last year of her life. The caring staff there allowed her to live with dignity and grace as her disease progressed. In the hands of the staff at The Pines at Poughkeepsie, together with her supportive Hospice team, Samuel and Susan, was where she spent her final month, with the increased attention and care that she needed. A heartfelt thank you to the staff on the 6th floor and her Hospice team who gave comfort and care not only to Dorothy, but to her family as well.  

Dorothy is survived by her daughter, Valerie Carlson of Pleasant Valley, NY; her son Richard Petrusyk of Beaufort, NC; her two grandchildren Amanda Carlson Hattersley and husband Matthew Hattersley of Pleasant Valley, NY and Matthew Carlson and his wife Allison of Fairport, NY. Dorothy is also survived by three great-grandchildren: Johnathan, Calvin and Madelyn and her nieces Diane Engler and Sandra Srodin of New Jersey. In addition to her loving husband Ted, Dorothy was predeceased by her sister Carol Srodin, and her husband Andrew Srodin of Ridgewood, NJ.  

Family will receive friends on Thursday, May 8, 2025 from 5:00pm to 7:00pm at St. Gregory the Theologian Orthodox Church, 1500 Route 376, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. A funeral service will immediately follow at 7:00pm. A burial service will be held at 10:00am on Friday, May 9 at St. Gregory the Theologian Orthodox Church. Interment will follow at Fishkill Rural Cemetery, Route 9 in Fishkill.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Gregory the Theologian Orthodox Church in Wappingers Falls, NY or Hudson Valley Hospice who together made it possible for Dorothy to live out the remainder of her life in grace, comfort, and peace.  Her family is forever grateful. 

Arrangements are under the direction of Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street in Wappingers Falls. To send the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.