Orris Ann Taddeo passed away Sunday, February 7, 2021 at Danbury Hospital, Danbury, CT; she was 94.
Born in New York City on September 21, 1926 to Tobias Chieffo, Sr. and Frances Avallone, Orris grew up as one of her eventually-to-be husband Ralph’s sisters since she was with
the Taddeo girls so much, she was considered one of them. She married Ralph on June 3, 1945 in St. John’s Church in Pawling; he predeceased her on February 8, 2005.
Orris was familiar with the restaurant business from an early age, as her dad, Toby, ran more than one with her mom; her mother Frances was an amazing cook.
She always had a creative side and that came out in her hobbies, such as The Pawling Garden Club, where she enjoyed many years of working with one of her favorites – flowers.
She dried and pressed flowers into beautiful arrangements. Anytime she went anywhere, there was always a beautiful arrangement brought. She would even fix your arrangement if she walked in and thought it needed adjustment. She cared for her yard the same way, surrounding herself with beautiful flowers.
Orris had a knack in the kitchen as well; she could cook meals that you talked about long after the occasion, and to visit her home around any holiday was pure bliss. She decorated “to the nines” with bunnies, Santas, or gourds; it was fun just to be there. She always said her decorations kept her company. Her Christmas tree was always an amazing sight with many hundreds of ornaments.
Her home reflected her warmth and sense of style. Each room was picture perfect. Her dining room table was always set beautifully for each season.
Her most outstanding characteristic is that she was always ready to go. You could walk in and she could be feeling tired, and if you mentioned heading South to the truck on 22, before you knew it, she had her coat on and was out the door. Mention a restaurant, especially Bull’s Bridge, and she raced you to the car. She was always dressed like she walked out of a magazine ad; jewelry, makeup, and hair done just right. She was quite the lady and her laugh was infectious. She and her nieces often went to lunch and they always marveled at her love of food, trying new cuisines, and always ready to enjoy a glass of wine.
As well as Garden Club, of which she was a 50 year member, Orris was a long-time member of St. John’s Church and the Catholic Daughters, the Pawling Historical Society, and Akin Hall.
In addition to her husband, Ralph J. Taddeo, Sr, she is predeceased by her son, Ralph J. Taddeo, Jr, who passed away in 1991, her sister Elene Spies and brother Tobias Chieffo, and her cousin, Marlene Errico.
She is survived by her daughters, Christine Reilly of Fishkill, NY and Orris Taddeo, Jr. of LaGrange, NY, and she was gifted with many nieces, nephews, god children, friends, and neighbors, especially Jackie, Jeannine, Diane, and Barry.
She was one of a kind and will be greatly missed.
Family and friends may pay their respects on Friday, February 12th from 4-6 PM at the Horn & Thomes, Inc. Funeral Home, 83 East Main Street, Pawling; masks are required and “social distancing” observed. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John’s Church, 39 East Main Street, Pawling Saturday at 11 AM; masks are required and “social distancing” observed. Burial will follow in St. John’s Cemetery, Pawling.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Memory of Orris to the Pawling Resource Center, P.O. Box 331, Pawling, NY 12564.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Horn & Thomes, Inc. Funeral Home, 83 East Main Street, Pawling, NY 12564 (845-855-3550).
