Margaret Deister

WASSAIC — Margaret Y. Deister, 94, a lifelong resident of Wassaic, New York, passed away peacefully on Wednesday, Dec. 13, 2023, at Sharon Hospital with her family by her side. Mrs. Deister was the comptroller at the Maplebrook School in Amenia and also worked for Leon Rothstein, CPA in Amenia. She later worked for Ann Linden at Red Hen Sign Co. in Amenia.

Born on Jan. 14, 1929, in Patterson, New Jersey, she was the daughter of the late Murray Elliot and Margaret (Markert) Rivenburg. Mrs. Deister was a graduate of Dover High School class of 1946. On Oct. 4, 1947, she married Gustave Deister, who predeceased her on Jan. 29, 2012.

Mrs. Deister was a former member of the Wassaic Presbyterian Church Ladies Auxiliary. She later became a member of the Sharon United Methodist Church in Sharon.

Mrs. Deister is survived by her loving children; Barbara E. Lisi and her husband, Paul J., of Lansing, New York, Paul F. Deister and his wife, Deborah, of Hahnville, Louisiana, and Peter G. Deister and his wife, Margaret-Ann, of Amenia, New York. She is survived by three grandchildren, Joseph P. Lisi and his wife, Traci, of Lansing, New York, Matthew P. Deister and his wife, Jessica, of Amenia, New York, and Austin M. Deister and his wife, Cameron, of Costa Mesa, California; and two great-grandchildren, Cody and Connor Deister. She is also survived by two sisters, Evelyn Handke and her husband, Gene, of Wassaic, Phyllis J. Quinones Barker and her husband, David, of Lynchburg, Virginia, and several nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews.

In addition to her parents and husband, Mrs. Deister was predeceased by a sister, Janice Sledge Freer.

The family would like to thank the staff at the Sharon Health Center, Sharon Hospital, and the Visiting Nurse & Hospice of Litchfield County for your compassion and support during Margaret’s final days. A special thanks to her home caregivers, Lacey Luther, Sally Barton, Nancy Luther, and her sister, Evelyn Handke, for their love and assistance while Margaret was at home.

Calling hours were held from 3 to 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 19, 2023, at the Hufcut Funeral Home, 3159 Route 22, Dover Plains, NY. Funeral services took place at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, at the Sharon United Methodist Church, 112 Upper Main St, Sharon, CT. Burial followed at Amenia Island Cemetery in Amenia. Memorial contributions may be made to the Sharon United Methodist Church, 112 Upper Main Street, Sharon, CT, 06069 or the Wassaic Fire Company, P.O. Box 287, Wassaic, NY 12592.