HUDSON FALLS – Rose C. Chickanis, 87, a longtime Maple Street resident, went into the arms of the Lord on Friday, March 24, 2017.
Born on August 18, 1929, in New York City at Flower 5th Avenue Hospital, she was the daughter of the late Dr. Nicholas and Dorothy (Dupuy) Sabbagh and the granddaughter of the late Louis and Julia Dupuy, owners of the Dupuy Greenhouses in Whitestone, NY.
Rose grew up in Brooklyn and attended St. Francis Xavier and Angela Hall schools in Brooklyn. She graduated high school from Packer Collegiate Institute in Brooklyn. Rose was an avid Brooklyn Dodgers fan. In 1941, she and her family moved to Whitestone Queens at 1538 Parsons Boulevard. Rose was an avid figure skater, often skating with her childhood friend Jacqueline Murphy at the Rye Figure Skating Arena in Tarrytown. Sonja Henie, world renown figure skater, was her idol. Rose was a novice figure skating Judge with the United States Figure Skating Organization and also the founder and President of the Glens Falls Figure Skating Club. She was an excellent piano player, her favorite song being “Somewhere Over the Rainbow.” Rose loved animals and always had a golden retriever at her side. She also enjoyed playing cards with the girls every Wednesday afternoon, played tennis and trips to Martha’s Vineyard.
On November 27, 1954, she married the love of her life, Thomas “Tom” Chickanis at St. Luke’s Roman Catholic Church in Greenwich, Connecticut. She became a sister to Theresa Chickanis Ambrose, Catherine Chickanis Marron and Evelyn Chickanis Esposito and a daughter in law to Raymond Chickanis
At the age of 40, Rose tragically lost her husband and youngest son in a car bicycle accident in Hudson Falls. Not only a family tragedy, this loss deeply affected everyone in the town. Coach Chick was a highly respected and well thought of person by everyone. After the loss of her husband and son, Rose raised her oldest boys, George and Ed, and did a phenomenal job as both sons did very well in their life’s endeavors.
Rose worked for many years for the New York Bell Telephone Company. She then served as a secretary for many years at Maple Street School in Hudson Falls.
She was a communicant of St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church in Hudson Falls.
In addition to her parents and grandparents, she also was predeceased by her husband, Thomas J. Chickanis and her son, Thomas J. “TJ” Chickanis.
Survivors include two sons, George Chickanis of Hudson Falls and Edward Chickanis and his fiancée, Kim Lowman of Ellicott City, MD; and her grandchildren, Thomas John Chickanis, Christopher Chickanis and Nicholas Chickanis, Ava Kill, Sophie Kill, Sebastian Kill, Kevin Kill, Sarah Kill and several nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by her daughter in law, Tammy Chickanis.
The family wishes to thank the home care girls, Sherry Cleveland, Dawna Sipowicz, Ginny Dutson, June Gaulin, Dyna Carlisle, and Paula Brodrick for the special love and care given to Rose during her illness. Also, they send a very special thank you to their close family friends, Anne Catalfamo and the late Chuck “Cat” Catalfamo for their continuing support through the years.
Friends may call from 4 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 29, 2017 at the Carleton Funeral Home, Inc., 68 Main Street in Hudson Falls.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2017 at St. Mary’s/St. Paul’s Church, on the park, in Hudson Falls with the Rev. Thomas Babiuch, officiating.
The Rite of Committal will be later in the spring at St. Mary’s Cemetery, in the town of Fort Edward.
In lieu of flowers, Rose’s family suggests that memorial donations in her memory be made to Alzheimer’s Association Northeastern, New York Chapter, 4 pine west Plaza, Suite 405, Albany, NY 12205.
