Obituary of Stella K. Dienst

Stella K. Dienst Peru - Stella K. Dienst, 93, loving wife, mother and grandmother, died on November 30, 2008 in Fort Edward, NY surrounded by her family. Born August 30, 1915 in Brooklyn to parents Joseph and Sophie (Omiecinski) Kurzyna, she grew up in Livingston, NY, graduating from Germantown High School. She was employed by the Columbia County Board of Supervisors as a secretary and later was named Deputy Clerk of the Board. Stella met Edward A. Dienst when he was on assignment with the New York State Police in Columbia County; they were married on June 20, 1954 at Sacred Heart church in Hudson, NY. They lived in Chazy and Saranac Lake before settling in Peru in 1962. An active member of St. Augustine's Roman Catholic church, she was a member and former president of the Altar - Rosary Society, a charter member and secretary of the Parish Council, and member and secretary of the church's Planning Board for the construction of the present church. For these and other volunteer efforts she was awarded the first St. Augustine's Golden Rose award for volunteerism. She was also a charter member and secretary for both the Peru Planning Board and the Peru Zoning Board of Appeals. Stella was also involved with Cub Scouts and Girl Scouts with her children. Stella was passionate about her family, grandchildren and friends, and loved gardening, craft work, music, birds and giving back to her community. Besides her husband, Stella is survived by one son and daughter - in - law, Edward and Margaret Dienst of Skaneateles, NY; one daughter, Teresa Redden and her long time companion Stephen Graceffo of Queensbury NY; one brother Joseph Kurzyna of Ocala, FL.; and grandchildren Brian and Eric Dienst of Skaneateles and Rachel Redden of Berlin, MA; sister-in-law Adele Kurzyna of Livingston; also several nieces and one nephew and godson, Reverend Andrew Kurzyna, pastor of St. Patrick's Church in Verplanck, NY. In addition to her parents, Stella was pre-deceased by a brother Henry Kurzyna of Livingston and a sister Jean Kurzyna of Brooklyn. Calling hours will be held Wednesday, December 3, 2008 from 4 to 7pm at the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated Thursday, December 4, 2008 at 11am at St. Augustine's Church in Peru with Rev. Alan D. Shnob, pastor, celebrating. Burial will be held Friday, December 5, 2008 at 11am in the Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville, NY. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Augustine's Church in Peru. Arrangements are in the care of the Hamilton Funeral Home, 294 Mannix Road, Peru. To light an online candle and offer condolences in the memory of Stella Dienst please visit www.hamiltonfuneralhome.com 643-9055