Thank you!
Your support is sustaining the future of local news in our communities.

Irene (Renie) Dietter

Irene (Renie) Dietter

ANCRAMDALE­ — Irene (Renie) Dietter, 91, passed away on Sept. 7, 2026, at home, surrounded by her loving family.

Irene was born on Aug. 23, 1935, to the late Abbie (Brizzie) and Charles Boyles Sr. in Ancramdale New York. She was the 10th of their 11 children. Renie would never leave Ancramdale, remaining on the same half mile stretch of County Route 8 for her entire life. Irene would attend Pine Plains School and then follow that with work at the Pine Plains Shirt Factory.

On Nov. 28, 1953, Renie would marry the love of her life, Avery (Prope) Dietter. They would become inseparable and would be married just shy of 70 years. Together they welcomed three children, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. While Prope worked, Renie held the house down. She was proud of her home and was known for her spotless house and yard. Most people knew Renie for her beautifully hung laundry line.

Renie was a woman who loved people. Together with Prope, they became the designated parents and then grandparents to all the children of Ancramdale. Known for being the “fun” house, they were always ready for a game of ball, a day of skating on the pond, sleigh riding or just enjoying a picnic. They began the tradition of the Halloween party at the Ancramdale Church and were leaders for many years of the Churches Youth Group.

Devoted to her church, where she was the current oldest and longest member, Renie was known for her dedication to the church suppers in the fellowship hall. She ran the church kitchen like a well-oiled machine, and she took such pride in the church hall. The church was her favorite place to be after her home. For many years she was the snack lady for Bible School. She devoted many Sundays to preparing food for coffee hour. And there were all of the behind the scene tasks she did without much notice like polishing the collection plates, starching tablecloths and dusting hymnals.

Renie loved her family and large extension of friends. She was a collector of people. For years she and Prope could be found surrounded by friends having coffee at the Farmer’s Wife or eating lunch at the Moose on the Loose. But her favorite place to be was home. After Prope had retired, they went on an extended trip with friends across the United States. Renie would say that she saw many beautiful sights but that no place was as beautiful as Ancramdale and her home.

Renie was known for her jewelry, especially her earrings. You could always tell what holiday was coming up by the earrings Renie wore. She had hundreds of them and took great pride in them. When she eventually went to stay with her daughter Gail, it was with her enormous jewelry box safely seat belted into the back seat of the car.

Renie will be missed not just by her large extended family but by the Ancramdale community as well.

Irene is survived by her two daughters and sons-in-law, Jean and Ronald Brant and Gail and Nickie Heath, all of Ancramdale, two granddaughters and grandson- in laws, Monica and Brandon Cleveland of Ancramdale and Amanda and Edward Bishop of Pine Plains. Grandson and granddaughter-in-law Avery and Jennifer Heath of Stanfordville. Five great-grandchildren Sydney Cleveland (Calvin), Ronald Cleveland, Karlee Bishop (Michael) and Lilah and Thomas Heath. Renie leaves behind many nieces and nephews and friends as well as two sisters-in-law, Helen Boyles and Bertha Boyles both of Ancramdale.

In addition to her parents and husband Avery, Irene was predeceased by her son Avery Dietter Jr., all of her siblings; brothers Russel, William, Henry, Charles Jr., Harold, Clifford and Robert and sisters Gladys (Millius), Eleanor (Cookingham) and Susan (Dietter) as well as her beloved cousins James and Eleanor Hoag.

Irene’s family would like to give a special thank you to Renie’s caregiver, Violet, who took such good care of her in the final weeks as well as the members of the Community Rescue Squad and the Town of Ancram Fire Department.

A funeral service was conducted on Monday, September 14, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Ancramdale Presbyterian Church, 15 Co Rd 8, Ancramdale, NY 12503. Burial followed in Evergreen Cemetery, Pine Plains. In lieu of a traditional wake, Renie wished that folks gather in the fellowship hall following the interment for a celebration of her amazing life.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be directed to the Ancramdale Presbyterian Church, PO Box 99 Ancramdale, NY 12503. For directions or to leave a message of condolence for the family please visit www.PeckandPeck.net

Latest News

Lelah M. Somers

Lelah M. Somers

DOVER PLAINS — Lelah M. Somers, 97, a longtime Dover Plains, New York, resident, passed away peacefully on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at Ferncliff Nursing Home in Rhinebeck, New York. Lelah was born on July 3, 1929, in Pawling, New York, to the late Byron and Lelah (Watts) Brill. Lelah grew up in Pawling and on Nov. 22, 1946, in Pleasant Valley, New York, she married James F. Somers, Sr. Mr. Somers passed away on Sept. 3, 1970. Lelah worked for New York State as a therapy aide for thirty-years and as a senior companion for New York State for thirty-two-years, with specific care provided to the mentally disabled.

She enjoyed taking care of the mentally disabled, was a wonderful mother to her four children, always putting her family first. She is survived by her son, James F. Somers, Jr. and his wife Donna of Dover Plains; two daughters, Doreen Monica of Wingdale, and Frances “Fran” Horton of Dover Plains, who was also her caregiver for many years; seven grandchildren, Debbie, Margie, Leah, Stephanie, Deirdra, Benji and Jimmy and several great grandchildren and great-great grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, and her step-son, Kenny Elliott. In addition to her parents and husband, Lelah was predeceased by her daughter and son-in-law, Carol “DeeDee” Maile and Gil Maile, her son-in-law, Stephen Monica, and her son-in-law, Benny Horton as well as her companion of over forty-years, Andrew “Mac” McAlravey and her siblings, Ferris Brill, Eleanor Barryann, Richard Brill, William Brill and Barney Brill.

Keep ReadingShow less

The art of getting into art school

The art of getting into art school

Hudson Valley Regional Portfolio Day returns to Poughkeepsie.

Provided

For a young artist considering college, the question isn’t simply whether the work is good enough. It’s which work to show, which school might be the right fit and even whether a creative life can lead to a sustainable career.

On Friday, Oct. 16, hundreds of aspiring artists will have the opportunity to explore those questions at Hudson Valley Regional Portfolio Day, presented by The Art Effect at the MJN Convention Center in Poughkeepsie.

Keep ReadingShow less
A colorful life together at Atelier Valla

Textile designer Justine Valla sits in her father’s chair, which she painted, alongside her husband, illustrator and muralist Victor Valla, in their Atelier Valla studio.

L. Tomaino
I lost the ability to paint after the accident. I struggled to paint again.
— Justine Valla

Husband and wife Victor and Justine Valla share a lavender and pink studio, Atelier Valla, across the driveway from their pink house, nestled into a hillside in Salisbury. The colors, said Justine, “were inspired by Monet’s house at Giverny.”

Creating art has been a lifelong pursuit for both.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

David Ruchman’s “Acquired Taste”

Filmmaker David Ruchman

Bleacher and Everard Photography

In a region known for its vibrant but geographically scattered arts community, discovering something new can require a little effort. The same might be said for finding a new place for an extraordinary meal. While the Northwest Corner, Berkshires and Hudson Valley have no shortage of creative talent, opportunities to experience it — whether on a stage, in a gallery or on a plate — aren’t always just around the corner.

In David Ruchman’s short film “Acquired Taste,” that challenge becomes the premise for an unlikely friendship between Nick, an aspiring young food critic living in an area with limited dining options, and a gruff New York City master chef.

Keep ReadingShow less
Follow the Clay Way for ceramic delights

Jane Herold’s beautifully simple dinnerware.

Provided

As the leaves across Litchfield and Dutchess counties rush to make it to the ground, your last chance to peep autumn is fast approaching. On Oct.17 and 18, the 10th annual Clay Way offers peepers a route to follow lined with unique art that rivals the area’s natural beauty.

The two-day event is a ceramics-focused open studio tour through northwestern Connecticut, with a few studios peppered in just over the border in Dutchess County. Featuring nine open studios and 25 participating artists, the tour promises a wide variety of work, from decorative objects to grand vessels and a whole world in between.

Keep ReadingShow less
A new home for the unexpected at Kent Fine Art

CAMERON (1922-1995) is on view at Kent Fine Art in Pine Plains through Nov. 14.

Provided

Where can one find the work of an artist associated with occult rituals, surrealist visions and the underground California art scene? In a beautifully renovated former carriage house in Pine Plains, of course.

Unexpected discoveries are, after all, part of what Doug Walla has spent his career making possible. The longtime New York City art dealer and founder of Kent Fine Art, has brought the work of Marjorie Cameron Parsons Kimmel, known simply as Cameron, to his new gallery space. The exhibition, on view through Nov. 14, introduces visitors to an artist whose life and work moved between mysticism, poetry, film and the avant-garde.

Keep ReadingShow less
google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.

google preferred source

Want more of our stories on Google? Click here to make us a Preferred Source.