Obituary of Beatriz Bongiorni

Beatriz Sol "Betty" Herrera Bongiorni, 73, of Highland, NY, previously of Manhattan and New Paltz, went home to be with the Lord on Thursday, January 16, 2014 at St. Luke's Hospital in Newburgh after a long illness. Born on February 14, 1940 in Vieques, Puerto Rico, she was the daughter of the late Rafael and Julie Melendez Herrera. An area resident since 1982, Betty had been a homemaker in Manhattan prior to her work as a home health aide in New Paltz, retiring from Bermac Home Health Care in 2000. Betty most recently was a member of Mount Triumphant Church of God in Clintondale, NY. On February 17, 1959, Betty married Raymond E. Bongiorni on the Lower East Side of Manhattan. He predeceased her in 1985. A woman of devout faith, Betty enjoyed missionary services, reading her Bible, cooking for her family, spending time with her grandchildren, and going on family trips and outings. Betty is survived by her son Rene Bongiorni and his wife Maria of New Windsor; son Anthony Bongiorni and his wife Trenthia of Highland, with whom she made her home; Ranny Williamson of Newburgh; brothers Luis Manuel Herrera, Miguel Angel Herrera, Jose Rafael Herrera and Pedro Herrera; sisters Maria Monserate Herrera Moises, Maria Magdalena Herrera and Maria Dolores Herrera Adams; grandchildren Shiane Bongiorni, Matthew Bongiorni, LaSandra Aviles-Bongiorni, Leavander Floyd, Shantey B. Floyd and Steven Frederick; special nieces Julia T. Fontanez-Laing, Maria A. Fontanez Ortiz and Luz M. Fontanez Thomas who were like daughters to her; and a host of other nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. In addition to her parents and her husband, Betty was predeceased by her sister Maria Teresa Herrera Fontanez, and her grandson Francisco Leal. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, January 23, 2014 from 4 - 8pm at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, Inc., 371 Hooker Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. A funeral service will be held Friday, January 24, 2014 at 10:00am at the funeral home, with Pastor Ralph Cowan officiating. Burial will follow in Fishkill Rural Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations in Betty's memory may be sent to Anthony Bongiorni, 3 Thorns Lane, Highland, NY 12528.