Obituary of Melina M. Makris

Melina M. Makris, 49, of Poughkeepsie, NY passed away on Thursday, June 28, 2018 at home. Born on February 18, 1969 in Poughkeepsie to birth parents Deborah (Stark) Smith and Jeffrey A. Dipper, she was adopted in June 1969 by James and Gertrude Makris.  Melina was a graduate of John Jay High School and SUNY Plattsburg majoring in Journalism.  She worked at Southern Dutchess News and Ulster BOCES covering and reporting on school activities.  She was an avid reader and was involved with the East Fishkill Library.  A few years ago, Melina reunited with her birth mother, Deb Smith, and since formed a close bond.  She was predeceased by her birth father and Gertrude Makris.  She is survived by her father James and his wife Delia Potenza of Wappingers Falls, her birth mother Deborah (Stark) Smith of Pleasant Valley, as well as her brother and his wife, Steve and Barbara Makris, step-sister Susan Calix and her daughters Liliana and Isabella, her aunt Jean Rossi and her children Joan King, Thomas and family and Barbara Rossi.  Additionally Melina is survived by her half-sister and half-brother Tina Dipper of Philmont, NY and Joshua Purnell of Alexandria, VA , her step-father Lance Smith, step-brothers Brandon Smith of Beacon and Geoff Smith of New Hampshire, aunts Rose (Dipper) Swartz, Cathy Stark, uncles Kevin Stark and Charles Stark and several cousins.  Calling hours will be held on Thursday, July 5, 2018 from 5:00-8:00pm at the Timothy P. Doyle Funeral Home, 371 Hooker Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12603.  A graveside service will be held on Friday, July 6, 2018 in Fishkill Rural Cemetery.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to any Diabetic Foundation Charity.  To send online condolences, please visit our website at www.doylefuneralhome.com