Obituaries

Mary Brown Cox Golden died peacefully at 93 with her children and grandchildren beside her on September 9, 2023. Born June 5, 1930, in New York City, she attended Spence School and Vassar College until 1950, when she married Maxwell Evarts Cox (died 1996). A 1952 graduate of Barnard College, by 1957 she had four children—Rachel, Elizabeth, Ann, and Robert. As they grew up, she resumed her education, receiving a PHD in child psychology from City University of New York in 1988. She enjoyed a successful career in child development and established a private therapeutic practice in Brooklyn Heights. She retired to Laurel, Long Island, with her second husband, Herbert Golden, then returned to Brooklyn Heights after his death in 2005. Deeply engaged in a wide range of interests, including oral history, painting, music, and community improvement, she loved most her family, her many close friends, and her summers in Maine with extended family. She is survived by her four children, two stepchildren, nine grandchildren, and five great-grandchildren. Service in her honor at 2:00 pm, September 23, First Unitarian Congregational Society in Brooklyn (48 Monroe Place) followed by reception at the Heights Casino. Donations in her memory may be made to  Brooklyn Community Housing & Services, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thomas J. Morello of Staten Island passed away August 2, 2023 at the Staten Island University Hospital with his family by his side.
Thomas was born in Brooklyn, New York to the late Albert and Anna Morello, he was also predeceased by his son Anthony. Tom served in the United States Navy and had been a union carpenter, until he retired.
Besides his beloved wife Santa Strazzella, he survived by his loving daughters, son and cherished 8 grandchildren and 4 great grandchildren.
Visiting will be Sunday, August 6. 2023 from 2:00pm until 6:00pm at Hanley Funeral Home Inc 60 New Dorp Ln, Staten Island, NY 10306. Cremation will be private.

Originally from Scottsdale Arizona, Matthew Murphy, a nomad who spent much of his later years on the East Coast, ended his adventures on July 1, 2023, as he was granted his eternal rest.  He was 43 years old and is mourned by his siblings, Michelle, Kenneth, and Ryan; and his nieces and nephew, Helena, Gianna, Jack, Annabel, and Celia, who will forever cherish their Uncle Matt. 

Matt gained purpose, direction, and personal pride during his stint in the US Army. The Iraqi war veteran rose to the rank of Sergeant and earned a Purple Heart for wounds received in action, as well as numerous Army Commendation Medals for courage throughout his tours. Like many of his fellow combat heroes, the transition to civilian life challenged Matthew.  However, his affability persevered, buoyed by a self-deprecating sense of humor and winsome heart. 

Matt loved to take his nephew and friends to the movies, sushi, and rap music. Matthew also held a special place in his heart for dogs, especially his two beloved American Pit Bull Terriers.  In lieu of flowers, please donate to either Sean Casey Rescue or Badass Animal Rescue, both Brooklyn-based dog rescues. 

 Please join Matt’s family and friends on Thursday, July 6, 2023, at Cobble Hill Chapel from 4:00 to 7:00 to celebrate his love-filled life.  Arrangements for his final resting place at a war veterans’ cemetery are to be determined in the near future.

Jane Schoen, age 97 of Brooklyn, NY entered into eternal rest Tuesday, May 30, 2023.  Jane was born in Brooklyn July 18, 1925.  Beloved wife of the late Dr. Albert Schoen, loving mother of David Eliot, cherished mother-in-law of Marie Ficarra Schoen and devoted grandmother of David Matthew.  Her productive, long life was enriched by her family and friends, music and travel.

Jane Schoen, age 97 of Brooklyn, NY entered into eternal rest Tuesday, May 30, 2023.  Jane was born in Brooklyn July 18, 1925.  Beloved wife of the late Dr. Albert Schoen, loving mother of David Eliot, cherished mother-in-law of Marie Ficarra Schoen and devoted grandmother of David Matthew.  Her productive, long life was enriched by her family and friends, music and travel.

Donald Owen Duffy, age 86 of Brooklyn entered into eternal rest on Thursday, March 23, 2023. Donald was born on July 5, 1936 in Brooklyn, New York. He is the son of the late John Duffy and the late Mary (Cooney) Duffy. Beloved husband of 50 years to the late Joan (O’Connor) Duffy. Loving father of Owen D. Duffy (Nina) and Peter C. Duffy (Meghan). Cherished grandfather of Emma, Nora and Declan. Devoted older brother of the late John “Jack” Duffy, the late James Duffy, the late Marianne (Duffy) McSharry, the late Daniel Duffy, and the late Thomas Duffy.

A lifelong resident of Brooklyn, Donald was the oldest child of Irish immigrants who worked from a young age to help his family get a foothold in America. An accountant by trade, Donald was a CPA for the firm of Alexander Grant (now Grant Thornton). He eventually made his way to the office of the Deputy Attorney General of New York State, where he was appointed by three different governors as the Assistant Chief Auditor of the Medicaid Fraud Control division. In his retirement he enjoyed travelling the world with Joan, spending summer days at Breezy Point, and doting on his beloved grandchildren.

Reposing Sunday, March 26 from 2 to 4 PM and 7 to 9 PM at Cobble Hill Chapels, 171 Court Street (corner of Dean Street), Brooklyn, NY. Mass of Christian burial will be held 10 AM on Monday, March 27 at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 55 Cranberry Street, Brooklyn. Cremation to immediately follow at Green-Wood Cemetery, Brooklyn on Monday.

For floral arrangements, please contact James Weir Florist at 718-624-0270

Forever In Our Hearts Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and all the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.

Sofia (Fina) Maisonet was born Sofia Garcia in Naguabo,Puerto Rico on April 30^th, 1939.

She met the love of her life Albert (Papa Boly) Maisonet, her late husband, through a family member that set them up on a date.  Fina is survived by her four children, Tammy, Nelly, Victor and Albert, 10 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.  Her children and family can attest to the fact that she had “the patience of a saint” and never lost her temper with them or even raised her voice.  Our mom was always supportive and encouraging, always wise and kind, and very proud of her children. She loved to cook for her family and crochet blankets for all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She always sacrificed her needs for the good of her family. Fina will be remembered as a selfless mother who always had a smile, even when times were tough. She had a quiet strength, never complained and always looked to a better future.

Fina has a strong Catholic faith and did her rosary every day. When she was diagnosed with bladder cancer several months ago until her passing into heaven she did not cry, get mad or go into depression. Instead she loved and lived every moment she was given, neither hard times nor cancer would rob her of who she was.  Always graceful, until God called her home.

“ I fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith”

                                                                                           2 Timothy 4:7

Dr. Mathilda A. Catarina  (“Dee”) of River Edge New Jersey passed away on November 19, 2021. Born in Red Hook, Brooklyn on January 23, 1939 to Julia and Amado Braceros. Dee was predeceased by her parents as well as her siblings Olga, Sonny and Lovey.

Dee professionally was a Doctor of Psychology, and a long-time professor at Brooklyn College where she founded the Special Baccalaureate Degree program for adults returning to school. As Director, she imbued the philosophy of multi-culturalism, tolerance & acceptance and published on the topic well before it became a focus in mainstream academia.  

After retiring from Brooklyn College, she took a position as a professor at William Paterson University, and also served as a Pathways Director providing counseling services to patients and as a FEMA advisor counseling veterans with PTSD issues.

Mathilda was an academic prodigy having been accepted to Hunter High School at the age of 13 and inducted as a member into MENSA.  Later, while raising her three children as a single parent, Mathilda taught public grade schools in Red Hook and Crown Heights, Brooklyn leading the early efforts & integration of the NYC Head Start program and achieved her bachelor’s degree from Brooklyn College and her master’s & PHD from Fordham University by attending evening classes.

Affectionately known as “MaDee” by her grandchildren Samantha, John, Jac, Maxwell and Charlotte she is also survived by her loving husband Ric and her three children Lori, Gary and Joseph; along with a myriad of loving cousins, nieces, nephews, friends and professional associates.

Dee loved owning their antique store in NYC, spending time with family in their Upstate NY home, helping people and was famous for always welcoming everyone, family & friends, new & old to Thanksgiving dinner, her favorite holiday of the year.   

Dr. Dee, Breaker of Glass Ceilings, and Wonder Woman are just a few of her monikers but Mom and MaDee are the names she wore most proudly.

Michele Gonzalez was born on December 13, 1955, in Brooklyn NY to Charles Andrew O’Neal and Dorothy Christine (Spencer).

She lived her life to the fullest, touching hearts wherever she went.
Her greatest expressions of love were invitations to her home in Florida, calling you on the phone and if she didn’t get you at that point, when she did, her words of love were “I’m gonna beat you”.  She never tired of letting anyone know how proud she was of their accomplishments.   She gave everyone their flowers.
She genuinely enjoyed seeing everyone  do well and was super supportive of everyone’s endeavors
and was proud of even the smallest of accomplishments.

Her favorite pastime was her passion for listening to ALL genres of music but loved Salsa and Salsa dancing came second nature to her. She loved traveling to spend time with each of her daughters and grandchildren but was most recently excited and anxiously awaiting and preparing for the arrival of her newest grandchild.  So proud that “HER BABY” was expecting her first BABY.

She was preceded in death by her Father, Charles O’Neal, Mother, Dorothy O’Neal, Brother, James O’Neal, Grandparents, James and Matilda Spencer and Sarah Brown.

She is survived by her Sisters, Victoria O’Neal and Dawn O’Neal-Washington, daughters, Antoinette Guillopo, Michele Harrington, Alexandria Guillopo and Dominique Guillopo, (6) Grandkids, Najee Reina, Jade Harden, Amaya Harrington, Alaia Harrington, Albert (Trey) Harrington and Ausome Harrington and a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, family and friends.

The family would like to acknowledge and thank you from our Hearts for all of the condolences shared through your presence as well as flowers, cards, emails, phone calls, texts and Social Media.