Ballard-Durand Funeral & Cremation Services

02/07/2026

Ellen Mary Villarie

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02/07/2026

Francisco Antonio Luque

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02/07/2026

Rita DiPaolo

Born on May 22, 1947 in Villa Santa Maria, Abruzzo, Italy, Maria Rita D'Agostino (Rita) very proudly came to America with her mom, Iola and Dad, Nicholas. There, they joined her extended family living in the Bronx, NY. Her parents worked very long hours, Iola in a dress shop and Nicholas in a restaurant to eventually purchase their first home, also in the Bronx. From there they would move to Lee Ave in Yonkers, NY to raise their kids, Rita, Jane and Nicky. Rita loved growing up as an American teenager in the 1950s and 1960s. She would meet her future husband, Paul at her father's restaurant. They married in June 1969 and began their life together in Yonkers, NY where they raised two boys, Chris and Nicholas. For many years, Rita stayed home to raise her sons, becoming an active member of their school's PTA, making the most delicious lunches and coming up with the best Halloween costumes. When Nicholas turned 10, Rita went back to work, a job she loved at Burke Rehabilitation Center in White Plains. She would work there for 26 years until 2015 when her first grandchild was born. Over the next ten years, Rita watched her grandchildren daily. She would work part time as a leader for Weight Watchers, enjoyed various exercise classes, yoga and her beloved peloton. But her grandchildren brought her all the joy in the world she could want. She attended all of their games and activities, and spoiled them endlessly. She loved spending time with her sons Chris and Nick, as well as their wives Diedra and Gianna. She was most proud of the women her sons fell in love with.

In 2018, Rita and Paul moved from their home of 40 years in Yonkers to a townhouse in Ossining. Here they found an amazing group of friends, dubbed the Pool Posse and Rita enjoyed many parties and nights out with them. These friends appeared in Rita's life at the exact right time.

Rita loved her new home and great friends. She finally had a beautiful pool to go to each day, became a Peloton enthusiast and loved to try new recipes. Rita loved Broadway shows, going to restaurants and shopping, especially for her grandchildren. She joined the Valhalla American Legion Auxiliary and spent much of her time volunteering.

Rita is survived by her husband, Paul, her son Chris (Diedra), her son Nicholas (Gianna) and their three children, the joys of her life, Elle, Camden and Leo. Rita is also survived by her sister Jane, her brother Nicky as well as beloved sister-in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

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02/06/2026

Michael Farley

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02/06/2026

Betty E. Ortiz

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02/04/2026

Erling Pytte

Erling Pytte died peacefully on the evening of January 30, 2026 at the age of 88. He is survived by his wife Patricia; children, Katherine and her husband Beach Edwards, Carolyn and her husband James Castonguay, and John and Angie Olivar; and his grandchildren, Gillian, John, Simon and Benjamin.

Above all else, it was Erling’s integrity that led to the affection and respect of all who knew him. He grew up on an ancestral farm in Norway, playing soccer when not haying and tending sheep in summer and skiing to a one-room schoolhouse in winter. His father, Ole, was a key figure in the Resistance, leading the parachute drop operation of weapons from England during the N**i occupation. Erling and his brothers, Peder, Agnar, and Oddvar wore many shirts sewn from parachute silk. At sixteen, Erling received a scholarship to Exeter, worked his passage over on a cargo ship, immediately skipped a grade, and played on the soccer team. He then went on to Princeton, skipped another year, studied physics, and played varsity soccer, culminating in an All-Ivy position. Harvard was next for a doctorate in theoretical physics. There he met his wife Patricia, who remembers that “he radiated goodness,” as well as good looks. After a post-doc at Berkeley, he returned to Norway to continue research and teach at the University of Oslo. By luck he was spotted by the IBM Zurich Research Laboratory, where he spent five happy years. That small physics department would eventually produce four Nobel laureates. During those years, he and Patricia raised three young children while hiking in the Alps extensively, skiing, and still playing soccer. Now with three small children, who were learning Swiss German at an alarming rate, the decision was made to return to the States where they would have roots. Farmers believe in roots.

The family settled in South Salem, New York, in a much-loved 1860 farmhouse where the extended family gathered for several weeks each year. For the next thirty years Erling worked at the Thomas J. Watson Research Center in Yorktown Heights, first doing theoretical research (with pad and pencil in the pre-computer days) primarily in condensed matter physics, then building and leading the theoretical research group. After retiring, having seen his children educated, married and well-employed, Erling turned to new pursuits: investing, civic responsibility rooted in his Scandinavian values, and traveling with great enthusiasm, eventually to fifty-two countries. He also devoted himself to restoring his home and gardens. In many ways he had returned to farm life, rooted in land and family. Throughout his life, Erling was devoted to his family. For them, he was a model of hard work, humility, and goodness.

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02/04/2026

Laurence J. Doyle

Laurence J. Doyle, 87, died on February 2, 2026. He was predeceased by his parents, John and Alice, his brother John, and his sister Patricia.

He was a graduate of Fordham Preparatory School and Fordham University (1961). He worked for IBM/World Trade as manager of Executive Compensation for over 30 years and served as a member of the Greenburgh Zoning Board for over 20 years. In these roles he was guided by fairness, thoughtfulness, and a desire to help others and do the right things.He was a loving and devoted husband to his wife Cynthia. Those who knew him will remember him for his kindness, calm strength, and his love of the Red Sox. He will be deeply missed by all.

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02/04/2026

Edmund M. Burke

Edmund Martin Burke, age 100, of Valhalla, NY, passed away peacefully on February 3, 2026.

Ed was born on July 22, 1925, in Westhampton Beach, NY, to Ursula (Ruby) Stack and Martin J. Burke.

Raised in the Bronx, Ed graduated from Fordham Preparatory School and, at just 18 years old, was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944. Assigned to the 38th Armored Infantry Battalion of the Seventh Armored Division ("The Lucky 7th"), he served as a machine gunner and saw heavy combat in northern France, the Ardennes, and the Rhineland region of Germany. In recognition of his service during the Battle of the Bulge, Ed was awarded the Purple Heart and the Bronze Star for meritorious achievement.

After the war, Ed attended Manhattan College, where he earned a degree in Civil Engineering, and later went on to receive a master's degree in Civil Engineering from NYU. In 1952, he married Phyllis Francis Curran, who predeceased him in 1998. Together they raised six children: Carolyn George (Michael Wright), Robert Burke (Teresa Russo Burke), Virginia Burke, Nancy Frame (Robert Frame), Laura Alter (Tom Alter), and Veronica Isley (Alexander Isley). Ed was the devoted grandfather of Daniel, Lauren, Ryan, Meagan, Kailey, Mickey, Rachel, Leigh Anne, Patrick, Emily, John, Owen, Ruby, and Ella, and the proud great-grandfather of Lilawynn, Rose, Pierce, Evelyn, and Marcus.

After a 40-year career with Mueser Rutledge Consulting Engineers, contributing to significant and distinguished construction projects around the world, Ed retired as a partner in 1993. In retirement, he dedicated much of his time to volunteering at Holy Name of Jesus Church in Valhalla, serving as an usher and as a member of the "Bingo Boys," where he acted as both greeter and cashier and was often involved with parish maintenance and beautification efforts. He was an active member of the Valhalla Lions Club and American Legion Post 1083.

Ed lived his life guided by a deep faith in the teachings of Jesus Christ. A true gentleman in every sense, he was forever known for his kindness, generosity, and heartfelt concern for others. He always had a warm word to share, often with a touch of humor, and despite his many accomplishments, remained humble, low-key, and quietly generous.

Visitation will be held on February 16 from 3-6 p.m. at Ballard-Durand Funeral Home, 21 W. Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne, NY. A Funeral Mass will take place on February 17 at 10 a.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 2 Broadway, Valhalla, NY. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 10 W. Stevens Avenue, Hawthorne, NY. A luncheon will follow the burial; details will be shared once finalized.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Valhalla Lions Club or Valhalla American Legion, organizations close to Ed's heart.

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02/03/2026

Sandra Lynn Altman

Beloved wife of Arthur L. Altman, Esq. and mother of Scott Coloney. Survived by her beloved daughter-in-law, Jennifer Coloney, her grandchildren, Mackenzie Coloney, Alexandra Coloney and Dylan Varner, her beloved stepchildren Elizabeth Cuccinello (Peter), grandchildren Briana DelRosario (Jarell), Peter Cuccinello, Anthony Cuccinello and Angelina Cuccinello, her stepson, Raymond Altman (Pamela),her grandchildren Joshua Stephens (Dorrie), Jack Altman, Joseph Altman and Jason Johnson. Sandra is survived by her dear sister, Diana McLaughlin (John), her brothers Douglas J. Clark and Charles W. Clark, her nieces Kelly Martini (Rainer), Megan McLaughlin Cullen (Brian), her nephews Douglas Clark and Joshua Clark. She is survived by grandnieces and grandnephews, Charlotte Martini, Carston Martini, Bene Clark, William Clark and Riley Cullen. Finally, her beloved great grandchildren, Wyatt Stephens, Theo and Mikayla DelRosario. Sandra was pre-deceased by her parents Douglas Clark and the Honorable Charlotte Clark (Justice of the Town Court of Eaton and the Village Court of Morrisville, New York). She was predeceased by her beloved nephew, John McLaughlin. Sandra was born September 25, 1945 in Oneida, NY, was a graduate of Buffalo University and had two Masters Degrees in Education. She was a lifelong teacher, beloved by her coworkers and her students. She was devoted and tireless in her profession. She retired from the White Plains City School District with her last assignment being at the Church Street School. She will be deeply missed, forever remembered and always loved.

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02/01/2026

01/31/2026

Edith E. Hodge

Edith Elise Hodge (Schoen) a longtime resident of Hawthorne NY died peacefully at her home on January 28, 2026. She was born on February 10, 1929 in Wolfgang Germany to Wilhelm and Anna Schoen. She was raised and educated in Germany and in 1955 immigrated to the United States.

She married her loving husband , Alfred W Hodge Jr. (who predeceased her in September of 2016), on November 8, 1958 at Trinity Lutheran Church in Scarsdale. Edith was a proud, active, honorary member of the Bavarian Club Edelweiss, Port Chester Singing Society, the Kaffeeklatsch Group, a parishioner of Trinity Lutheran Church of Hawthorne and a member of the Mt Pleasant Seniors. Edith worked as a comptroller for Plastic Injection Command in Chappaqua for many years.

A beloved mother, Oma, and great Oma, she will be forever in our hearts. Edith was loved by all who knew her because of her welcoming and cheerful personality. She will be missed by her loving family and her many wonderful friends.

She is survived by her two loving daughters, Elicia (Tom) Briggs of Valhalla ,NY and Jennifer (Arvid) Johanson of Hawthorne NY. She is also survived by four granddaughters, Oma's pride and joy, Melanie (Joe) McMillen, Jacqueline Briggs, Danielle (Brian) Sillery and Lauren Johanson, four great grandchildren, Declan, Gavin, Austin McMillen and Morgan and baby to be Sillery. Predeceased by Inge Zich (sister) and survived by Frank Zich (nephew) in Germany.

Special thanks to Edith's caregivers , Clover ,Monika and Michelle , for their endless compassion, care, love and companionship.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made in her memory to Trinity Lutheran Church 292 Elwood Ave Hawthorne NY 10532 or Rosary Hill Home 600 Linda Avenue Hawthorne NY 10532

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01/30/2026

Sunil Pundalik Dhuri

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