Obituary of Joyce Cushing

Joyce M. "Sam" Cushing of Middletown, a former waitress at the Colonial Diner in Middletown and a lifelong resident of the area, died on Friday July 11, 2014 at the Highland Rehab in Middletown. She was 80. The daughter of the late John and Esther Cushing Purgatorio, she was born on October 22, 1933 in Middletown, New York. She was a member of the Happy Seniors in the Town of Wallkill. Survivors include her daughter Lynn Gillen and her husband Howard of Mt. Hope, N.Y. Her sister Loretta Patterson of Middletown. Her grandchildren Nicholas Roberts of Middletown and Alyssa Gillen of Mt. Hope. Her great-granddaughter Madeline Roberts and several nieces and nephews and great-nieces and great-nephews. She was predeceased by her brothers Michael Purgatorio and John "Jack" Purgatorio and her sisters Patricia Banks and Rose Baker. Visitation hours will be held on Wednesday July 16, 2014 from 5-7 P.M. at the Ralston-Lippincott-Hasbrouck-Ingrassia Funeral Home, Inc. 72 West Main St. Middletown, New York. Burial will be held at the convenience of the family. Memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association.