Obituary, Viktoria Ferdinand

It is with profound sadness that the family of Viktoria Ferdinand of Dover Plains, NY announce her peaceful passing on Monday, November 22 at the age of 87 years following a brief illness.
Viktoria will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 61 years, Alphonsus (Al); daughters: Karen Ferdinand of Pawling, Barbara (Mike) Mahn of Hopewell Junction; lifelong friend Gertrude Gumbs of Briarcliff Manor; In-laws: Uwe Behn of Mahopac; Bobbie Ferdinand of St. Kitts, Beulah Marie Madeiros of Massachusetts; nieces/nephews:  Boris, Kim, Michael, Debbie, Howard, Kenneth, and Andrea, and their spouses; many family members in Germany and St. Kitts; and dear friends Nancy Cresci, Elsie Puglisi, Joy Godin, Melitta Mahn.
Viktoria was sadly predeceased by her son Chester on March 13 of this year; brother Paul (Edith) Huber (Germany), her parents Teresa (Storm) and Johann Huber; lifelong sister-friend Tina (Sal) Iaco; In-laws Rita Behn, Vincent (Marie) Ferdinand, John Ferdinand, and Stanley Gumbs.
Viktoria was born December 20, 1933 in Munich, Germany, growing up in the small town of Kolbermoor, enjoying bike riding and skiing.  In the mid 1950’s, she immigrated to Long Island, NY as an au pair where she met her lifelong sister-friends Gertrude, Tina, and Marie.  Through their love of music and dancing they met their husbands at the Lorelei German Club in Manhattan and remained close-knit friends their entire lives.
Viktoria married the love of her life Al Ferdinand on June 25, 1960, and together they raised three children. She worked as a building superintendent, homemaker, and dietician cook, but her real passion was being a loving mom, not only to her own lucky children, to any child in her reach needing a meal or temporary place to live; her home was always open.  She overcame life threatening injuries sustained in a car accident in 1987 and later fulfilled her dream of proudly becoming a US citizen.
She was a phenomenal cook and baker, loved feeding everyone, and along with her husband hosted parties for all family and friends to enjoy throughout the years.  She loved all animals, enjoyed reading, gardening, and whistled beautiful tunes. Her favorite pastime was swimming with her friends; she taught many neighborhood children how to swim and a few adults as well.  She and Al loved the ocean, especially the beaches of Rhode Island and Long Island.
Viktoria was joyful, funny, kind, warmhearted, a loving wife and mother, and will be painfully missed by her family.
Family and friends may pay their respects at the Horn & Thomes, Inc, Funeral Home, 83 East Main Street, Pawling on Monday November 29, 2021 from 9:00 – 10:30 AM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. John’s Church, 39 East Main Street, Pawling at 11:00 AM.  Burial will follow in South Dover Cemetery, Wingdale. Please note that all services require face masks and mandatory “social distancing”.

Author: Harlem Valley News