Dorothy Wilmot
Dorothy A. Wilmot, a 50-year resident of Rye, passed away March 22. She was 90.
She was born May 7, 1921 in Chicago, the daughter of Fred and Bernice Shuksto Mohlfeld. After graduating from Harper High School in 1939, she did undergraduate course work at Northwestern University. She worked as an executive secretary at Eastman Kodak in Chicago for four years.
On February 6, 1943, she married Irvin G. Wilmot. They celebrated their 69th wedding anniversary this year.
Locally, she was a longtime member of The Rye Woman’s Club and a longstanding volunteer for Meals on Wheels. A parishioner at Resurrection Church, she joyfully served as an usher at the Children’s Mass for 12 years and as a lector at mass.
Family was the center of her life. Mrs. Wilmot was a devoted and loving wife and mother, beloved and cherished by her family and friends. She was also a superb hostess and homemaker and a gifted gardener.
Her lively personality, sense of humor, and bountiful energy, along with her friendship and support, were extended to all she met.
In addition to her husband Irvin, Mrs. Wilmot is survived by her two children, Marcia B. Wilmot of Santa Clara, California, and David M. Wilmot of Las Vegas, Nevada; a sister, Margaret M. Mohlfeld of Chicago; two nieces, Mary Greco and Laurie Carduff; and a nephew, Michael Greco, all of Chicago.
A mass of Christian burial was celebrated March 29 at Church of the Resurrection. Internment followed at Greenwood Union Cemetery.
Donations in Dorothy Wilmot’s memory may be made to the Church of the Resurrection, Rye.
William Felch, M.D.
William Felch, M.D.
William Campbell Felch, MD, an internist, pioneer in continuing medical education, leader of professional medical organizations, and respected editor and writer, died April 12, in Carmel, California. He was 91. Before retiring to Carmel in 1988, he lived and practiced internal medicine in Rye for 37 years.
Born in Lakewood, Ohio, November 14, 1920, he was the son of Don and Beth (Campbell) Felch. He was raised in Ohio, Illinois, and New Jersey.
After graduating from Plainfield High School in 1937 and Phillips Exeter Academy in 1938, he attended Princeton University from which he graduated in 1942. While at Princeton he was a member of the choir, the glee club, and the annual Triangle Show. He was a founding member of the Princeton Nassoons.
He attended medical school at Columbia Physicians and Surgeons and graduated in 1945. The same year he married Nancy Cook Dean at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in East Hampton, N.Y.
He served in the US Army Medical Corps during World War II and was a First Lieutenant from 1945 to 1948.
In 1951, Dr. Felch moved with his family to Rye, established a private practice as a general internist, and co-founded The Rye Medical Group.
He served as Chief of Staff at United Hospital in Port Chester from 1975 to 1977 and was Medical Director at The Osborn Home from 1977 to 1988.
Dr. Felch was one of the founders of the Alliance for Continuing Medical Education and served as its first executive vice president. He was founder and editor of the Alliance Almanac, and then editor of the Journal of Continuing Education in the Health Professions. The Alliance awards the William Campbell Felch Award for Outstanding Research in Continuing Education in his honor.
Dr. Felch served as President of the American Society of Internal Medicine from 1973-74 and as Chairman of the Legislative Council of the American Medical Association from 1978-79. In 1976, he was elected to the Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Sciences. He served on President Ronald Reagan’s Health Policy Advisory Group and the Transition Team on Health established in 1980.
Dr. Felch was the writer or editor of numerous books, including “The Role of Internist” (1974) and “The Secret(s) of Good Patient Care: Thoughts on Medicine in the 21st Century” (1996).
While living in Rye, he served on the board of Rye Country Day School and Planned Parenthood in the 1960s. He was an avid golfer for much of his adult life and served as president of the board of Apawamis Golf Club.
Dr. Felch and his wife Nancy were married for 66 years. She survives him as do his two sons, William Jr. and his wife Virginia of Stinson Beach, Calif., and Robert and his wife Marianne of Siasconset, Mass.; four grandchildren; and four great-grandchildren. His daughter, Patricia Ann Felch, predeceased him in 2005. His sister, Marian Felch Abel, also predeceased him.
A memorial service will be held in Carmel and interment will follow at a future date in Siasconset, Mass. Memorial gifts in his name may be given to The Carmel Foundation, P. O. Box 1050, Carmel, CA 93921, or a charity of choice.
Patricia Vaughan
Patricia Ann (Peterson) Vaughan, 65, passed away peacefully April 9.
She was born July 15, 1946 in Clarksville, Tennessee, to Colonel Charles Edward Peterson and Irma Fredricksen Peterson. As the daughter of an Air Force officer, she spent her childhood traveling the world, always the new girl in school.
After attending the University of Nebraska, she embarked on a 23-year career as a flight attendant with United Airlines.
In 1976, she settled in Rye, where she was an active member of the 22nd Twig and the Woman’s Club of Rye.
She is survived by her husband of 39 years, Alan C. Vaughan; her son Brian and his wife Rebecca; and her two cats, Cassie and Chelsea.
A funeral Mass was held at Church of the Resurrection April 14.
Donations in Mrs. Vaughan’s name may be sent to P.O.T.S., 2763 Webster Ave., Bronx, NY 10458, or Cornell Feline Health Center, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853.
Helen Berlanti
Helen Del Grande Berlanti, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, and dear friend, passed away April, 7, at the age of 93.
She was born July 13, 1918 to Louis and Candida Del Grande, in Rossiter, Pa., a small coal mining town near Punxsutawney. The family moved to Greenwich, Conn., when was a child, and she graduated from Greenwich High School.
With beautiful looks and a lively spirit that she possessed all of her life, it’s no surprise that a lot of young men came courting, including legendary New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio. When a local paper asked Joltin’ Joe how he liked the town and whether or not he planned to return, the reporter remarked that the center fielder was staring in the direction of a “Helen Del Grande”. But it was Gene Berlanti, a youthful, charming, and hard-working superintendant for Berlanti Construction, who finally stole her heart. They were married in 1940.
In 1949, the Berlantis purchased a home in Rye, where they raised their two sons, Gene and Ronald, and lived their entire married life. A devoted wife, mother, and homemaker, Mrs. Berlanti, at age 50, decided to get a job to make some additional income. She worked at Rye Hospital Center as a supervisor in housekeeping for the next 42 years. Last year, she retired as Executive Supervisor at the age of 92.
She will be remembered for her inner and outer beauty, sense of humor, her immense work ethic, and dedication to people. She had a great zest for life, loved cooking Italian dishes, good jokes, animals, especially dogs, and spending time with her husband and grandchildren at their home in Ortley Beach, N.J. Family was the center of her life and provided her with her proudest and most cherished memories.
Mrs. Berlanti is survived by her children: Gene and his wife Barbara of Palm Desert, Calif., Ronald and his wife Robin of Stephentown, N.Y.; her grandchildren Christie Berlanti Sokol and her husband Mike, Ronald Berlanti, Dina Berlanti Segerson, and Gregory Berlanti; and great-grandchildren: Hannah and Kathryn Segerson, Bradley and Keegan Berlanti, and Tucker and Tanner Sokol. Her husband predeceased her, as did her sister Theresa.
A mass was celebrated at the Church of the Resurrection April 11.
Donations in Helen Berlanti’s memory may be made to the charity of your choice.
Rose Pelliccia
Rose “Jackie” Pelliccia, formerly of Harrison, died March 20 at Signature Nursing Home in Ormond Beach, Florida. She was 88.
She was born December 17, 1923 in Norfolk, Conn., but lived most of her life in Harrison.
Mrs. Peliccia enjoyed spending time with family and friends. “Jackie was always ready to help if someone was in need,” said her family.
Her husband of 50 years, Salvatore Mario Pelliccia Sr., predeceased her. She is survived by her sons, Noel, Salvatore Jr., Vincent, Paul, and John; and several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A private service will be held. Donations in Rose Pelliccia’s may be made to the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, 965 Albany Shaker Road, Latham NY 12110.