Mary Catherine Kalan passed away at home on October 5, 2018 after a courageous battle with cancer. She was 74.

She is survived by Frank, her beloved husband of 55 years; daughters Karen Kalan-Murphy and Christine Kalan-Tidman; her sons-in-law Michael Murphy and Richard Tidman, along with four grandchildren: Meagan Murphy, Ryan Tidman, David Tidman and Erin Murphy; and her cherished dog, Holly.

Mary grew up in Minneapolis, Minnesota. A Minnesota girl at heart, she moved to Dutchess County in 1963 to marry Frank, but continued to visit and spend time with her childhood friends there.

Mary returned to school in 1977 to become a dental hygienist. Throughout the years, she worked at dental offices in Fishkill, Millbrook and Cold Spring. Though she loved her work and the friendships she made during this time, she retired in 2000 so she could travel and spend more time with family. She continued to meet with her hygiene friends and colleagues after retirement.

She was a devoted member of Trinity Episcopal Church, Fishkill, where she spent time on the Vestry, as an Alter Guild member, creating parish newsletters, volunteering at food pantry, assisting with various renovations, seasonal decorating, groundskeeping, coordinating collections and spearheading the church’s semi-annual rummage sale. An avid reader, she was also a member of their book club. The candlelight Christmas service was a particular highlight for her.

Mary spent many hours at the Blodgett Memorial Library, which she belonged to since 1965. She spent some time there as a volunteer and participated in various book club groups. She loved reading and enjoyed discussing books with all the staff there.

Mary loved browsing through cookbooks and foodie magazines. An accomplished cook and baker, she enjoyed time spent in the kitchen and amassed a cooking gadget collection to prove it! She had an intuitive skill and could modify a recipe to create delicious results. Not surprisingly, she also enjoyed her time with the Mid-Hudson Food and Wine Society.

Often seen working in her yard wearing a headband and gardening gloves (so she wouldn’t touch the worms), she created a place of beauty at home that family, friends and winged creatures appreciate to this day. It was not uncommon to see her deliberating where to squeeze in the plants she bought because she couldn’t resist their exquisite blossoms.

Frank and Mary loved to visit family, often bringing cards and games with them. Not a great poker player, Mary would squirm when she held the old maid. She went to dance recitals, hockey and soccer games, karate competitions and anything else her grandchildren were involved in. Mary loved to bake, read, play and snuggle with them all when they were young and enjoyed spending time with them as they grew up.

A memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. on Saturday, November 3 at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1200 Main Street, Fishkill.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to Trinity Episcopal Church, P.O. Box 484, Fishkill, NY 12524 or Hudson Valley Hospice Foundation, 374 Violet Avenue, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601 (www.hvhospice.org).

Arrangements are under the direction of the McHoul Funeral Home of Fishkill, Inc., 1089 Main Street, Fishkill. For online tributes, you can visit Mary’s Book of Memories at www.mchoulfuneralhome.com.