Obituary of Johnann Denham Sciarrillo

On Tuesday, January 12, 2021, Ann Denham Sciarrillo of Hunter, New York, passed away peacefully at the age of 93 with her daughters at her side. 

Ann ( nee Johnann Mac Gregor  Mac Dougal Denham), was born  in Dundee, Scotland on July 7,1927. At age 17 married her “Yank” , Matthew Sciarrillo and after the war, proudly arrived in the USA  as a British War Bride.  After living in New Jersey and Long Island, Ann and her family settled in Palenville and  on the mountaintop in the late 1950’s where she has been a long-time resident.

Ann and her husband Matthew, raised  three daughters Linda Nicholls, Ronni La Veglia, and Patti Ferrara Birnbaum,  who  with their families, have remained as long time residents of the area as well.  Together, Ann and Matthew  owned and operated several businesses including Nancy’s Country Kitchen, Hunter Gravel Bank and most notably, the Hunter House.

Ann was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother who loved nothing more than spending time with her children.  Throughout her life she took joy in keeping in touch with her extended family, always sending cards and gifts for the little ones.   Ann  loved music, loved to dance, sing, attend concerts, and musicals and was always a number one fan of all her children’s events.   She enjoyed traveling and especially driving for hours to new destinations. Her love of reading , researching family genealogy,  movies and sharing stories of her life and family in Scotland were some of her favorite pastimes.

Ann  valued and treasured her friendships.  A cancer survivor, she was a member of the Greene County Women’s League and a Golden Ager who had many fond memories of  fun times with  her friends on their trips.

Witty, funny, generous  and loving…she was the best.

Ann is survived by her daughters; Linda Nicholls (Charles),Ronni La Veglia (Thomas), Patti Ferrara Birnbaum,(Martin), grandchildren ; Jody Nicholls (John Murphy), Rebecca  Nicholls Hoagland, Tammy La Veglia Dibbell (Edward), John La Veglia (Diane), Andrew La Veglia, great-grandchildren; Hannah Hoagland, Ellie Hoagland, Tess Murphy, Eden Murphy, Julianne La Veglia, John Matthew La Veglia, Aaron La Veglia, Kyle, Bruce and Alex Wenham;  her brother; Jack Denham and his family of Brick, New Jersey, Beth Denham and family Cottonwood , CA and Lake Havasu, Arizona, and many nieces and nephews. Ann is predeceased by her husband , Matthew Sciarrillo, her brother Ron Denham, son-in-laws Charles Nicholls Jr., and Thomas LaVeglia, sister- in- law Ann Denham.

Funeral arrangements are being managed by Decker Funeral Home (Windham, NY). The immediate family will hold a private ceremony and a graveside service for family and friends  will be held in the spring. A celebration of life will be held when we can gather together safely.  If it is your wish to honor her memory, donations can be made to the Tannersville Rescue Squad or the Kaaterskill United or East Jewett Methodist Church.  Messages may be left on Decker’s Funeral Home website at: www.deckerfh.com .