Obituary of Maria Verven

Maria L. Verven, formerly a lifelong resident of Poughkeepsie, NY died peacefully at the Casa de la Luz Hospice in Tucson, AZ on July 26th, 2016. Maria was born in Plattsburgh, NY on August 2, 1926, the daughter of the late George and Calliope (Anagnos) Larios of Plattsburgh, NY. Maria is survived by her daughter and son in law Patricia Verven Miller and James D. Miller of Tucson, AZ, her son James S. Verven, formerly of Poughkeepsie, NY, her two grandsons Cameron and Adam Miller both of Tucson, AZ and her granddaughter Alicia Verven of Poughkeepsie, NY. She is also survived by many cherished nieces, nephews and cousins. Maria was married to Stephen J. Verven on November 19, 1950. She was predeceased by her husband in 1966 and by her two sisters Constance Patsalos and Demetra Riley. Maria graduated in 1948 from Russell Sage College with a degree in French and Linguistics and in 1975 with her Masters from SUNY New Paltz. She taught French in the Arlington Jr High/Middle School for 22 years. She developed the language arts program for Arlington Junior High which included annual cultural trips for young students to practice French in Quebec. She was a lifelong member of the Kimisis Greek Orthodox Church, serving on the church board, a member of the Woman's Philoptochos Society and the Daughters of Penelope. She was a long time docent of the Francis Lehman Loeb Art Center of Vassar College. Maria enjoyed the arts, the opera, and the theater. She spent a year in Besancon, France studying the French culture. She was an avid bridge player, reader and traveled the world as she could and thoroughly enjoyed current events and politics. You could find Maria traveling with friends and family first class or on a train staying at the hostels. Maria loved her family and was a devoted mother, grandmother, sister and aunt. She was a compassionate woman whose advice, wisdom and comfort were valued by many family members, friends and students. Calling hours will be held Wednesday August 3rd 2016 from 4 to 8 pm at the Timothy Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. The funeral will be held at 10 am on Thursday, August 4th, 2016 at the Kimisis Greek Orthodox Church, 140 S Grand Ave., Poughkeepsie, NY 12603. Burial will follow at the Poughkeepsie Rural Cemetery. The family asks that memorial donations be made in Maria's name to the Francis Lehman Loeb Art Center Vassar College Poughkeepsie, New York 12603 If you would like to leave an online condolence please visit www.doylefuneralhome.com