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March 28, 2024
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Obituaries: Winifred (Winnie) L. Pilus

May 11, 2017

Winifred (Winnie) L. Pilus passed peacefully in her sleep on May 5, 2017.

Winnie was born to Lena and Gustave Leageler (both deceased) of Newark, NJ. Her family had use of a small summer cottage near Winona Lake, Newburgh and during one of those long, fateful summers she met the love of her life, local boy Joseph Pilus, when she was 13 years old and he 15. Their friendship grew and in the final months of WWII, Winnie joined Joe in San Fransisco where he was stationed with the U.S. Navy and they married April 8, 1945. At the close of the war they relocated to Cornwall, Joe’s birthplace, where they settled in to raise a family and serve the community. Winnie and Joe were married 67 years before Joe passed in June of 2012.

Over the decades of her long life Winnie was a pioneer in the Girl Scouts of America, leading a lone troop of mixed aged girls and, in time, a Senior Mariner troop with a focus on boating skills. Additionally, Winnie was involved with the Cooperative Extension, Orange County Election Board, The Eastern Stars, Cornwall Yacht Club, Sands Ring Homestead, Cornwall Garden Club, the TNT tap dancing group, and her beloved church, Cornwall Presbyterian, where she served in many roles from Clerk of Session to Expert Apple Pie Crust Crimper.

Winnie is survived by her loving daughters Peggy Trimble, Darlene Korykora, and Dory Salerno. Sadly, a fourth daughter Joanne Held, passed in November of 2016 predeceasing her mother. Winnie was also predeceased by son-in-law David Trimble. Surviving are son-in-laws Bruce Held and Paul Korykora, eleven grandchildren and their spouses, seventeen great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild.

An expert seamstress, and needlewoman in both knitting and crochet, Winnie also loved her flower gardens; especially in the spring when a seemingly endless progression of blooms crowded her back door. Joe would cut for her the first lilac or rose to display in a small vase on the kitchen table, filling the house with sweet fragrance. A marvelous, wife, mother, and grandmother she continuously supported her family; working tirelessly at a number of part time jobs while nursing grandparents, raising children and always giving: giving of herself in a million ways without complaint or expectation. Winnie’s listening heart and mischievous grin below bright blue eyes touched the lives of many. She will be sorely missed by her family and community.

Visitation will be Friday, May 19, 2017 2-4 PM and 7-9 PM at Quigley Brothers Funeral Home, 337 Hudson Street, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY.

A service of Celebration and Memorial will held May 20, 2017, 10 AM at The Cornwall Presbyterian Church, 222 Hudson Street Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY.

In lieu of flowers donations may be made to The Cornwall Presbyterian Church, 222 Hudson Street, Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY 12520 or Hospice of Orange & Sullivan Counties, Inc., 800 Stony Brook Court, Newburgh, NY 12550.

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