Dorothy C. Rifenbary

Dorothy Carvis Rifenbary, 88, passed away peacefully with her family beside her on April 20, 2013 at the Wesley Healthcare Center in Saratoga Springs, NY. Born in Chicago, IL May 26, 1924 she was the daughter of the late Leo S. Carvis and Severine Carvis Carroll, and stepdaughter of the late Judge William M. Carroll. She grew up in Druce Lake, IL and Waukegan, IL. She graduated from Holy Child Academy for Girls, Waukegan, IL in 1941 and attended DePaul University in Chicago, IL graduating from the secretarial and commerce department in 1943.

Following graduation she was a civilian employee at the U.S. Naval Training Station in Great Lakes, IL as secretary to the postal officers. In 1945 she married the late Dr. George Clarke Rifenbary DMD, a Kingston, NY native. Her involvement in the Kingston and surrounding community was extensive. She was a member of the Board of Directors of the Kingston YMCA, served in every leadership position including President and Historian of the Auxiliary of the Kingston Hospital, and had been a member of the Auxiliary since 1948. She was one of the original volunteers at the People's Place and was a member and a contributor to the Friends of Historic Kingston. She also served on innumerable local fund raising projects over the years.

Her love of sports prompted her to establish the first Wiltwyck Country Club swimming team, and she became the first woman in the area to become a certified swimming official at both the High School and AAU levels. Her interest in golf is legendary. In 1963 she chaired the first Babe Didrickson Zaharias golf tournament in Ulster County. She was president for both the Ulster County Women's & Senior Women's Golf Association. She was both the Women's General and Golf Chairman at Wiltwyck Golf Club and acted as its unofficial historian. She was Wiltwyck Country Club's Woman's Golf Champion in 1958 and 1960, and won the Ulster County Senior Women's Golf Championship in 1980.

She was honored by the Ulster County Senior Men's Golf Association for her contributions to golf; the Kingston Newspaper Guild as Woman of the Year for community service; and the Hudson Valley Senior Residence for her commitment and dedication on the Board of Directors.

Dorothy was also a devoted parishioner, and lector, for St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Kingston, NY.

Dorothy is survived by her loving children, Dr. Deborah and husband Vincent Rifenbary - Murphy of Albuquerque, NM. and Jay C. and wife Noni Rifenbary of Saratoga Springs, NY; her grandchildren, Nicole and husband Nathan Zerbe, and Jared Rifenbary of Saratoga Springs, NY; Brothers Leo and Jim Carvis and several nieces and nephews.

A very special thank you to the staff of Wesley Healthcare Center in Saratoga Springs, NY for their superior care, friendship, and love of Dorothy. We as a family will be forever grateful.

Relatives and friends may call at the A. Carr & Son Funeral Home, 65 Lucas Avenue, Kingston, NY on Wednesday, April 24 from 3 - 7 p.m.; a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Joseph's R.C. Church, Kingston, NY on Thursday April 25 at 10 a.m.; with an Internment at Wiltwyck Cemetery immediately following.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Kingston Hospital Auxiliary, 396 Broadway, Kingston, NY 12401. In memory of Dorothy, please add pink to your attire as it was her favorite color. Light a candle in memory of Dorothy at www.CarrandSonFuneralHome.com