Emily Cummings

In Memoriam

Emily Dorothy Cummings, 95, of Huguenot, died peacefully at home after a prolonged illness.

Born in Englewood, New Jersey, to Agnes and Marek (Mark) Kratky, emigrants from Czechoslovakia. As a young child, she moved with her family to Staten Island, NY where her parents started a small farm. Her father also was a professional offshore fisherman and named his fishing boat the “Emily K”.

After high school, Emily worked as a secretary for Equitable Life in New York City. Back home in Staten Island, she met and married Stephen Edward Cummings, and the newlyweds built a small bungalow in Prince’s Bay. As their family grew, the couple built two bigger homes, first one next to their bungalow, and then later, one in Huguenot, where Emily lived until her death.

A lifelong parishioner of St. Joseph/St. Thomas Parish in Pleasant Plains, Mrs. Cummings along with her husband Stephen Sr, was instrumental in the fund-raising campaign for the construction of the elementary school for Our Lady Star of the Sea R.C. Church in Huguenot during the 1950s.  Her husband, Stephen Sr, assisted with the construction of the elementary school for St. Joseph/St. Thomas Parish during the 1960s, where later she volunteered as administrator for St. Joseph-St. Thomas School for over 25 years.

Emily was predeceased by her husband Stephen, and her third child, William. She is survived by four sons – Stephen (Jr), Michael, James, John, and a devoted daughter, Emily (Jr).  Emily was a proud and caring mother, known as “Gigi” to her 14 grandchildren and 16 great-grandchildren.

Services include viewing at Bedell-Pizzo Funeral Home in Tottenville on Monday, March 28th from 2-4 pm and 7-9 pm. Funeral services will be held at St. Joseph Roman Catholic Church on Tuesday, March 29th at 11:00 am. Burial to follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Pleasant Plains.