Aileen Grace Van Deusen, 89, of Housatonic died Tuesday, March 19, 2019, at her home surrounded by her loving family. Aileen was born Sept. 7, 1929, in Norwood, the daughter of Wilfred and Ella (West) Hardy. She was a graduate of the former Searles High School class of 1947. Aileen worked for many years as a teacher’s aide for the former Housatonic Elementary School and as a crossing guard. Aileen was a communicant of Corpus Christi Church Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish in Housatonic and enjoyed gardening, being outdoors and spending time with her family, grandkids and great-grand kids. Aileen’s husband, Francis “Vanzy” Van Deusen, whom she married Oct. 27, 1951, predeceased her Nov. 10, 2010.
Aileen is survived by two daughters: Nancy Wright-Kinna and husband Michael Kinna of Alford, and Sandy Van Deusen of Housatonic; one brother: Harold Hardy of Georgia; one sister: Marjorie Hardy Meyers of Texas; three grandchildren: Andrew Delmolino, Noah Wright and wife Brooke, and Tessa Van Deusen; and two great-grandchildren: Julia Frances Wright and Samuel Alistar Wright. In addition to her husband, Aileen was predeceased by brother Arthur Hardy.
Funeral services for Aileen G. Van Deusen will be held Friday, March 22, at noon at the BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME, 33 South St., Great Barrington MA 01230 with Rev. William P. Murphy officiating. Burial will follow in Saint Bridget’s Cemetery in Housatonic. Family will receive friends Friday, March 22, at the BIRCHES-ROY FUNERAL HOME from 10 a.m. to noon preceding the service. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in Aileen’s memory may be made to the Corpus Christi Church Saint Teresa of Calcutta Parish Building Fund in care of the funeral home. Condolences may be made through birchesroyfuneralservices.com.
