Published in the Times-Herald Record - Thursday August 26th 2010

Mary Lou Canade, born in Newburgh, on June 26, 1926, passed away on Tuesday, August 24, 2010 at Putnam Ridge Nursing Home, Brewster, NY. She was 84.

The beloved daughter of Vincent and Josephine Canade, Mary was well known for being a loving caretaker to those who were ill or in need, all of her life. One of her great loves was music and she could often be heard playing the piano. She studied the piano for years and probably could have become a concert pianist.

As Edna St. Vincent Millay said, “Following care along the dusty road, have I looked back at loveliness and sighed; Yet at my hand an unrelenting hand tugged ever, and I passed. All my life long, over my shoulder I have looked at peace; And now I fain would lie in this long grass and close my eyes.”

First when her father became ill, she cared for him; later her mother when she became ill; and lastly for her late sister, Lucretia. She always put the needs of others before her own desires.

A graduate of Newburgh Free Academy, she spent many happy years working at Stewart Air Base and later at West Point, where she was involved in running the housing department. She loved meeting new people and quickly made newcomers feel at home. In her later years, she particularly enjoyed musical productions and entertainment.

While she never married, she was a second mother to her sister’s children. We thank her for all of her kindness and years of unselfish care she provided to her family, whenever they were in need.

Mary is survived by her sister, Anita Cosman; nieces, Judith Ann Challis, Joyce Cosman Gilcash, Karen Pill and Debra Lawrence; as well as many cousins.

Visitation will be held from 5-8 pm on Friday, August 27 at Brooks Funeral Home, 481 Gidney Ave. Newburgh.

A Funeral Service will be private. Burial will take place in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Newburgh.

To send a personal condolence or for directions to the funeral home, please visit http://BrooksFH.com, or call 845-561-8300.

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