Mary Anna Booth

Mary Anna Booth

MILLERTON — Mary Anna Booth, 90, an 87-year resident of Millerton, and most recently of Rhinebeck, N.Y., died peacefully on Dec. 7, 2020, at The Thompson House where she had resided in comfort for the past three years. She was surrounded by her loving caregivers at the time of her passing.

Born June 3, 1930, in Sharon, she was the daughter of the late Henrietta (Perotti) and Henry W. Shaffer. She graduated from Millerton High School in 1947 and married Donald T. Booth on Aug. 16, 1952, at the Smithfield Presbyterian Church in Amenia. Together for more than 65 years, Mary and Don operated the Booth Farm on McGhee Hill Road in Millerton, a very successful dairy farm that had ties with the Town of North East for several generations. 

Mary was an avid gardener and had a great fondness and concern for all animals. 

Mary and Don were well known for their devotion to family and friends throughout their lives. They semi-retired from dairy farming in 1990 but continued to care for their vast property with great pride and much love in their later years. Mr. Booth died on Dec. 9, 2017.

Mary was a decades-long member of the Faith Bible Chapel of Shekomeko on Silver Mountain Road in Millerton. 

Though small in stature she was at times larger than life with her “can do” spirit and boisterous personality. Fearless in making her perspective known, she was an iconic personality to the church fellowship. Mary and Don donated the land on which Faith Bible Chapel now stands and they were both personally involved in the construction phase of the ministry in 1998 and 1999 as well as many other ongoing activities. Mary worked diligently and could be found at every Work Day; she was a living example of one of the Chapel family’s purpose statements: Service Is Love in Working Clothes! 

Mary is survived by her sister, Elinor Duprey of Copake, N.Y., and her husband, Robert; several loving nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews and cousins; and many dear friends. 

In addition to her parents and her beloved husband, Mary was also predeceased by her dear brother, Henry J. Shaffer; and her loving sister, Elizabeth McGhee.

The family would like to thank all her friends who visited her while at The Thompson House and extend a special thank you to all Mary’s caregivers while she was in residence.

Graveside services and burial were held Dec. 12 at Irondale Cemetery in Millerton, the Rev.William Mayhew officiating. 

Memorial donations may be made to the North East Community Center Fresh Food Pantry, P.O. Box 35, Millerton, NY 12546; or Millerton Fire Company, P.O. Box 733, Millerton, NY 12546. 

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Scott D. Conklin Funeral Home in Millerton. To send an online condolence, go to www.conklinfuneralhome.com.

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