Mary E Kent

Mary E. Wintermute Kent of Hurley, who also lived for many years in New Paltz, a long time teacher and advocate for persons having difficulty with the complexities of life, died unexpectedly in Kingston on Sunday, January 23, 2011. Born on December 29, 1922, in Scranton, PA, she was the daughter of Jennie and Walter Wintermute. A member of the board of the Ulster County Association for Retarded Citizens, she received an award for distinguished service for special children and later received the Ulster-Greene ARC's Jack Deyo Award for Outstanding Advocacy, an award recognized in a letter from President Clinton. A former member of the Ulster County Community Services Board and of the "New Horizons" board in Dutchess County, she also edited the New York State newsletter for teachers of the handicapped. A Girl Scout leader in several towns, including New Paltz, former chairman of the Ulster County Special Olympics in Hurley, she was also an active member and president of the Hurley Reformed Church Women's Guild and headed the Stone House Day Committee for the church. After retirement she continued to volunteer with special education classes and Hurley's Ernest C. Myer School, and for many years served on the guardianship committee of Ulster-Greene ARC. She is survived by her husband, James Don Kent of Hurley; seven children, James (Michele) and Rebecca (Allen) Masters of Kingston, Ruth of Arlington, VA., Rachel Kent (Christopher Klosson) of Gill, Mass., David of Maynooth Ireland, Linda of Saugerties, Lori (Daniel) Rothman of Sterling, Va.; nine grandchildren, Halissa and Alex Delphin, Katherine, Leon and Lily Kent, Elizabeth Wilson, Charlotte, Margaret and Donald Rothman; she is also survived by a brother, Orval Wintermute of Durham, N.C., numerous nieces and nephews as well as countless loving friends. Two sisters; Ella and Annie and a brother John predeceased her. A brief memorial service will be held at Hurley Reformed Church Friday, Jan. 28, 2011 at 4 p.m., followed by a "party" as she said, in the church hall. The family suggests that people attending wear something green, Mary's favorite color. Friends will be received at the Simpson-Gaus Funeral Home, 411 Albany Avenue, Kingston from 7 to 9 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 27, 2011. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Ulster-Greene ARC, the Hurley Reformed Church, or a charity of one's choice.