Dawn DeFreese Schell

9/5/2017

Dawn DeFreese Schell, of Florida, NY, passed away on September 5, 2017 at Orange Regional Medical Center, after a courageous fight with Pancreatic cancer. She was 63 years old.

Born on November 29, 1953 in Ringwood, NJ, she was the daughter of the late Douglas and Freda (Mann) DeFreese.

She was married for 30 years to Harold Schell.

A homemaker, Dawn had previously worked in nursing. She loved to visit the casinos and playing the slot machines, enjoyed visiting garage sales and shopping on QVC, playing cards with her siblings, and playing “dress-up” and putting on a show. She will be greatly missed.

She is survived by her husband, Harold “Harry” Schell of Florida, NY; her daughter, Nina Fernandez of Florida, NY; her son, Felix Fernandez of Florida, NY; her granddaughters: Shawna Akacki and her husband Curtis, and Anessia Rodriguez; her brothers: Dale DeFreese, Larnie De Freese and wife Harriet, William DeFreese and wife Alberta, Marvin DeFreese, Robert DeFreese and wife Joanne, Brian DeFreese and wife Helen, and Michael DeFreese and wife Debbie; her sisters, Venus Miller and husband Marvin, Marie Payne and husband Jeff, and Melissa Pitt and husband Lou; a goddaughter, Michelle (DeFreese) Hopkins; also survived by numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by sisters Eileen Santiago and Vivian DeFreese.

Visitation will be on Friday, September 8^th, from 7:00-9:00 pm and Saturday, September 9^th, from 9:00-11:00 am at Lazear-Smith & Vander Plaat Memorial Home, 17 Oakland Ave., Warwick. Funeral service will follow at 11:00 am. Interment Warwick Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made, in Dawn’s name, to the National Pancreatic Cancer Foundation (via text HOPE4PC91 to 71777 of this information can be found on Shawna Akacki’s Facebook account.)

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Your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated . Your services to George and our family were above and beyond our expectations. Thank you never seems sufficient when the situation appears and is often overwhelming. Your concern for us and our guests will never be forgotten.

... throughout these back to back losses, your gracious concern and professionalism made the time special.

.. not only are you the best - but the town / village of Warwick respects you very much. All with good reason.

I just wanted to thank you and your staff for making Mom’s Memorial Service a success. We appreciate your professionalism and attention to detail.

I believe Mom would have been very pleased with the whole production. Thanks again for making Mom’s day a special memory for our family and friends.

Thank you for all your kindness, compassion and walking me through this very difficult journey with ease. The services were perfect and beautiful because of you. You are very special people and I will never forget you.

Dawn DeFreese Schell

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