Rhinebeck – Karen L. McCurty, 70, a resident of Rhinebeck, passed away on Thursday April 18 at Vassar Brother’s Medical Center.
Born in Yonkers on August 17, 1953, she was the daughter of Hugh and Roberta (Bowker) Estberg. Karen received her master’s degree from SUNY New Paltz in education. Karen began working at Hyde Park Central School District at Haviland Middle School in 1975 and retired in 2008 after 33 years and roughly 4,700 students.
Karen met her husband Tim in 1982, married in 1987 and moved to Rhinebeck in 1988. Karen was passionate about science, advocating for and bringing STEM practices into her classroom long before it was a norm. Karen enjoyed camping and being in nature, spending her summers at her family’s lake house in Elizaville, NY. She was a lover of animals, rescuing the likes of owls, cats, and turtles. She strongly believed in the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® and was a contributing member for many years.
Karen is survived by her husband, Tim and her daughter Emily (Tim Sylvester). Karen is also survived by her mother Roberta Estberg, her siblings Stephen and Arlene Estberg, and her 10 nieces and nephews.
There are no calling hours.
Services will be at the convenience of the family.
Memorial donations in honor of Karen McCurty can be made to the Dutchess County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®
Dutchess County SPCA | Adopt a Cat, Dog, or Small Animal in New York’s Hudson Valley, https://www.dcspca.org/
Arrangements under the direction of the Dapson-Chestney Funeral Home, Rhinebeck, NY.
