Georgina Dunaj

Georgina "Georgia" (Manuli) Dunaj of Hillsdale, NY, formerly of Hicksville, NY and of Manhattan, passed away on January 12, 2013.

Born in 1930 in Manhattan to Thomas and Mary (Olivo) Manuli, she was the eldest of four sisters. In 1948, while employed by Travelers Insurance Company in Manhattan, she met and married the love of her life, John Dunaj.

In 1969, they moved their family from their Long Island home to Hillsdale, where they owned and operated several successful business ventures, including Taconic North Superette and the Taconic North Liquor Store in East Hillsdale, the Pinebrook Motel and the Green Thumb Nursery, also in Hillsdale, as well as briefly operating the Olde Egremont Club in South Egremont, MA, where she was also the chef. She was later employed as a ticket agent at Catamount Ski Area, where she subsequently assumed her husband's position as Comptroller upon his death in 1979 and where she worked until her retirement.

Mrs. Dunaj also served several terms on the Hillsdale Board of Appeals in the 1970's.

Mrs. Dunaj was especially recognized for her culinary expertise and also for her lifelong talent and expertise in gardening, cultivating and nurturing everything around her.

Her proudest accomplishments and sources of happiness were her marriage, her children and grandchildren, and also her extended family, for whom her home was always open. She was the family matriarch, the family confidante and advisor, the keeper and teller of family stories, the creator of wonderful meals and memories.

Mrs. Dunaj left an indelible impression upon many lives and will be greatly missed.

She is survived by a son, Jon Dunaj of Florida, a daughter, Valerie Knox, son-in-law Glennford Knox, and grandchildren Maria and Christopher Knox of Hillsdale; also by a brother-in-law Frank Dunaj, and by 9 nephews, 7 nieces, 25 grand-nieces and grand-nephews, and 7 great-grand-nieces and great-grand-nephews.

She was predeceased by her beloved husband, John Dunaj. She was also predeceased by her sister, Nancy Veselovsky, brother-in-law, Joseph Veselovsky, Sr., and nephew, Joseph Veselovsky, Jr.; by her sister Gloria Dalton and brother-in-law Gerard Dalton; and by her sister Barbara Giacinto DeVito.

In keeping with Mrs. Dunaj's wishes, there are no calling hours.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Friday, January 18, 2013 at Our Lady of Hope Roman Catholic Church, 8074 Route 22, Copake Falls, NY, with Rev. George Brennan officiating.

Interment will be next to her beloved husband John in the Hillsdale Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations can be made in Mrs. Dunaj's name to Community Hospice of Columbia Greene, 47 Liberty St., Catskill, NY 12414.

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