Lena Winnie

Lena Winnie, a long time former resident of Kingston, died Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at Leisure Park Nursing Home in Lakewood, NJ. She was 82. She was born February 25, 1927 in Highland, the daughter of the late Anthony and Marie Pugnali. After graduating from Highland High School in 1945, she attended New Paltz College until her marriage to Philip DeMonte in 1948. Following the death of her husband in 1963, she went back to New Paltz College and earned a Masters Degree in Education with a minor in Art. In 1976 she married William Winnie who passed away in 1998. Lena taught second grade for 26 years at St. Augustine's School in Highland, retiring in 1992. In the years after her retirement, she often told stories about her experiences in the classroom. Lena was a member of the local branch of the American Association of Retired Persons, serving as vice president. She was also an accomplished decorative tole painter and a member of the local chapter of the national Society of Decorative Painters. She was an avid painter who devoted much time to her avocation, sharing her love through teaching and attending national painting conferences. She is survived by two daughters, Sylvia DeMonte-Bayard of Randolph, NJ; Susan Ambrosino of Brick, NJ and her son, Raymond DeMonte of Kingston and a brother, Philip Pugnali. Five grandchildren, Audrey, Derrick, Lisa, Morgan and Raymond, Jr. and two great-grandchildren, Rebecca and Crystal also survive. A son, Philip DeMonte and a brother, Harry Pugnali died previously. Reposing at the Simpson-Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Ave., Kingston on Friday from 3 - 5 and 7 - 9 PM. A funeral procession will form on Sat. at 9:15 AM at the funeral home and process to St. Joseph's Church for a 10:00 AM funeral Mass. Interment will follow in Montrepose Cemetery, Kingston. Memorial contributions may be directed to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Avenue, Chicago, IL 60601-7633.