Jennie M. Sawchuk

MILLERTON — Jennie M. Sawchuk, 90, died peacefully on March 18, 2014, at home.Born Oct. 9, 1923, in Manhattan, Jennie met her husband of 63 years, John Sawchuk Sr., in 1946. They married in 1947 in Millerton. John predeceased her on June 22, 2010.Educated in New York City, Jennie began her adult life as a city girl, dressing to the nines and dancing to the big band sounds with her dear sister, Virginia Pistillo. Jennie’s brother, James LaHain, met and married John’s sister, Mary Sawchuk, and by that connection, Jennie met John. Jennie and John lived in New Jersey together until 1954, when they both moved to Millerton to take over the family dairy farm on Sawchuk Mountain. Jennie raised her family there, helped manage the family business, and managed her own small business as a seamstress sewing beautiful slipcovers and drapes.The farm was sold in the late 1960s and John and Jennie began a wonderful retirement, traveling most winters to Florida, and in their spare time building three new homes by their own labor. Jennie was an accomplished cook of both her own ethnic Italian dishes and her adopted Ukrainian heritage recipes. She possessed a kindness and openness to all people that made her beloved to all. Jennie is survived by her son, John Sawchuk Jr. and his wife, Linda, of Millerton; a daughter, Donna L. Sawchuk and her husband, Craig R. Nickerson, of Brewster, Cape Cod, Mass.; two grandchildren, Michaelene Dennis and Curtis Sawchuk; and two great-grandchildren, Cole and Natasha Dennis. In addition to her husband, Jennie was predeceased by four siblings, Virginia Pistillo, James LaHain, Joseph Sessa and Mario Sessa.The family particularly wishes to express their gratitude for all the home health aides from Unlimited Care, Inc., and GeronNursing of Sharon, as well as the Community Hospice of Columbia/Greene, who served with great skill and kindness in recent years to assure that Jennie could remain in her home until the end. Services will be private and a celebration of her life will take place at a later date.Arrangements are under the care of the Peck & Peck Funeral Home in Pine Plains.To sign the online register, go to www.peckandpeck.net.