Obituary of Cornelia Crist

Cornelia "Corny" Crist, an eight-six year resident of Wappingers Falls, entered peacefully into rest on August 24, 2017 at the Kaplan Family Hospice Residence in Newburgh. She was 87. Daughter of the late John and Regina Cheetham O'Rourke of Wappingers Falls, she was born on April 14, 1930. Corny graduated from Mount Saint Mary School in 1948. She went on to marry the love of her life, Harry J. Crist, Sr. on November 29, 1952; Mr. Crist preceded her in death, passing on February 22, 2009. Early on, Corny worked for IBM until she started her family. When her children were old enough, she went to work for the Wappingers Central School District as a school monitor, where she adored her boss, Joe Corrigan. Corny retired from the school district in 1992. Corny leaves behind her loving daughter and son-in-law, Jeanne and Dale Bradshaw; her two loving and devoted grandsons, Jason and Ryan and his companion, Samantha; and two adorable great-granddaughters, Sutton and Riley, whom were all the loves of her life. She is also survived by her one and only sister, Charlotte Visentin of Wappingers Falls, whom she loved very much; along with several nieces and nephews. Corny was given the nickname "The Mayor of Wappingers Falls"; she knew everyone! She was so well liked and had a friend base that no one could imagine; she had the most wonderful neighbors anyone could ever ask for. She was the most generous and kind person to everyone she came in contact with. Anyone that ever did any kind of work at her house would always leave fully paid and with a bottle of water. There's no love in this world as special as a mother's and no mother was more special. God only takes the best and he couldn't get any better than her. She will be greatly missed. Corny peacefully joins her husband, Harry and her beloved son Harry, Jr. who preceded her in death on December 2, 1987. The family would like to thank the entire staff, clergy and volunteers of the Kaplan Family Hospice Residence; they all went above and beyond their duties to keep Corny comfortable. The staff was not only loving and compassionate to Corny, but to her family as well; they thank you from the bottom of their hearts. Memorial visitation will be held on Tuesday, August 29, 2017 from 3 to 7 p.m. at Straub, Catalano & Halvey Funeral Home, 55 E. Main Street, Wappingers Falls, NY 12590. Interment will be private. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Corny's name to the Gardiner Fire Department, PO Box 271, Gardiner, NY 12525 or Kaplan Family Hospice Residence, 1 Sunrise Lane, Newburgh, NY 12550. For directions or to send a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.