Brenda Joyce Dias, 69, of Saugerties

It is with great sadness that the family of Brenda Joyce Dias announces her passing, after an almost yearlong battle with cancer, on May 7, 2018, at the age of 69.

A resident of Saugerties, N.Y., and Preston, Conn., Brenda graduated third in her class with her degree as a registered nurse from Kingston Hospital School of Nursing. She worked at Kingston Hospital and she was the head nurse in the neonatal unit at Shore Memorial Hospital in New Jersey before resigning to stay home and raise her children.

Brenda was a beloved mother and grandmother who devoted her life to her children and grandchildren as well as hundreds of other children. She was the superintendent of Sunday School for the Malden Methodist Church for over 20 years. Her church meant the world to her and it gave her the opportunity to have a positive impact on all the children that went there.

Brenda also wrote poetry in her spare time and was published. She won awards for her poetry, including a trip to Reno, Nev., to read her poetry. Her poems will be on display at the services in celebration of her life.

Brenda is survived by her devoted husband of 48 years, Bill Dias; her daughters, Joyce Crudo of Celebration, Fla., and Jill DiasSchindler of Alpharetta, Ga.; and her grandchildren, William, Leah, Isabella, and Sydney. She is also survived by her sister, Bonnie Ballweber of Fort Ann, N.Y., and her brother, Emmett Vedder Jr., of Port Ewen, N.Y.

Services in celebration of Brenda Dias will be held on Saturday, May 12, 2018, at 11 a.m. at Buono Funeral Service Inc., 100 Main St., Saugerties. There will also be viewing hours on Friday, May 11, 2018, from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m.

Memorial donations can be made in Brenda’s memory to the Quarryville Church, P.O. Box 879, Saugerties, N.Y. 12477.

Please offer your condolences for Brenda and her family online at www.BuonoFuneralService.com.