Elizabeth "Orril" Begor

October 5, 1926 - October 5, 2014

Elizabeth "Orril" Begor, 88 years of joyful spirit, died on October 5 at Berkshire Medical Center. She was born Sept. 27, 1926, in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., daughter of the late Henry C. and Martha W. Strahan. She attended elementary and secondary schools in Poughkeepsie, and was a graduate of the Krissler Business Institute. She pursued a secretarial career, ultimately achieving the position of executive secretary at IBM Corp. when she retired in 1984 after a career of 20 years. Orril was an active member of P.E.O. Chapter BN in Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and for 20 years a devoted member of the choir of the Dutch Reformed Church in Poughkeepsie followed by 35 years in the choir of the First Presbyterian Church in Wappingers Falls. She adored all things feline, relished international travel, devoured books and magazines, and was entranced by all babies. But what made her heart soar was singing. Her voice was a gift to all those within earshot, even after the lyrics had been stolen from her by 10 years of Alzheimer's disease. She found the positive in every situation, and was an inspiration to all her family and friends with her joy of life and unfailing sense of humor. She was predeceased by her devoted husband of 36 years, Vernon L. Begor, in 2008, as well as her former husband, Henry R. Wilser Jr., in 2003. She was also predeceased by stepdaughter, Susan Weber in 2010. She is survived by her sister, Eleanor "Norrie" Beken, of Oneonta, N.Y.; her son, Michael Wilser and wife, Sherry of Lenox, Mass.; stepchildren, Barbara Dubois and husband, Loren of The Villages, Fla., Bonnie Micus and husband Jim of Lakewood, Colo., Jeffrey Begor of Pleasant Valley, N.Y., Janice Kauffman and husband, Richard of Dornsife, Pa., and Leslie Madeo and husband, John of Delhi, N.Y.; niece, Lynn Beken of Oneonta, N.Y.; 18 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren. Orril's family would like to sincerely thank Dr. Thomas Consolati as well as the staff of Kimball Farms Assisted Living, especially those in the Life Enrichment Program, for their kindness and expertise in helping her adapt as her disease progressed. They also have a deep appreciation for the compassionate care provided by the staff members of Berkshire Medical Center in the closing days of her life. FUNERAL NOTICE: A Memorial Mass for Orril Begor will be held at 11 a.m. on Monday, October 13, at St. Ann's Church, 134 Main St., Lenox, MA. A private burial next to her beloved Vern will take place in Union Cemetery in Port Henry, N.Y. In lieu of flowers, donations in Orril's memory may be made to the Alzheimer's Association or the American Cancer Society, either directly or in care of the Roche Funeral Home, 120 Main St., Lenox, MA 01240.