Orinoco M. “Noke” Tennant, a resident of Wappingers Falls since 1961, died Monday, October 6, 2025. She was 88. 

Daughter of the late Owen and Orinoco Matthews, she was born in May of 1937 in Ashtabula, Ohio. She graduated high school in St. Petersburg, Florida. Noke attended college at St. Petersburg Junior College and Dutchess Community College. She worked as an administrative assistant for much of her life, primarily at IBM, Dutchess County Health Department and the Dutchess County Jail. She was employed with the county from 1980 until her retirement in 2002. 

In June of 1959, she married James F. Tennant in St. Petersburg, Florida. Their marriage ended in divorce in 1987 and he predeceased her in 2008. 

Survivors include her daughter, Wendy Tennant-Beebe and her husband, Robert and their two children, Kyle and Jordan; her son, Michael Tennant and his partner Peggy Pulcare and Michael’s son, Jared; as well as many nieces and nephews.  She is also survived by her dear companion of many years, William “Steve” Capowski. 

She was predeceased by her siblings, John Matthews, Elnore Chitester, Estel and Sue Matthews and Georgiana King.

Those who knew Noke well knew that she enjoyed sharing a laugh with her friends and family and would laugh even louder and harder at her own expense.  Before losing much of her eyesight she was a talented artist specializing in painting wildlife on beach shells found on the shores of Misquamicut Beach. She was talented with pen and ink drawings as well as an expert seamstress. She enjoyed baking and many have been the recipient of her gifts from the kitchen be it cookies, pies or cakes. She was most happy when she could make others happy. Her sweetness and kindness will be remembered by many.

Services will be private. 

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Lung Association, Donation Processing Center, PO Box 70360, Philadelphia, PA 19176-0360. 

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.