Antoinette Dzwonkas Beauchemin

Mrs. Antoinette "Toni" Beauchemin, 83 of Emmons Street, Dannemora, NY, passed away Wednesday, October 22, 2008 at CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh. She was born in Utica, NY on June 29, 1925, the daughter of the late Anthony and Antoinette (Gregas) Dzwonkas. "Toni" attended Cortland State Teacher's College and switched to Utica State Hospital School of Nursing. "Toni" joined the Nurses Cadet Corps in 1944 and graduated from the Utica State Hospital in Utica, NY as a Psychiatric Nurse and later worked at Physicians Hospital in Plattsburgh. She was a family nurse to all of her siblings needing care. In 1952 she married her husband, Norman Beauchemin at the Church of the Annunciation in Clark Mills, NY. "Toni" then went on to become the first female nurse at Dannemora State Hospital. Upon the closure of Dannemora State Hospital she became a Psychiatric Nurse at Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora where she did psychiatric evaluations and from where she eventually retired. She enjoyed bowling, swimming in Chazy Lake, gardening, making jellies, jams and cooking. "Toni" was known for her famous Butter Crunch which she sent all over the U.S. She was a longtime parishioner of St. Joseph's Church in Dannemora, participating in the Church Choir and arranging church flowers. "Toni" was predeceased by her parents, two sisters, Albina Dzwonkas and Della Marcaitais. "Toni" is survived by her husband of fifty-six years Norman Beauchemin, three sisters; Jennie Larner of Sherburne, NY, Bernice Logan and her husband Bud of Rome, NY, Agnes Cochis and her husband Bill of Whitinsville, MA, five brothers; Walter Diamond and his wife, Nancy of Sherburne, NY and Florida, Anthony Dzwonkas and his wife, Judy of Brantingham, NY, Bernard Dzwonkas and his wife, Kay of Westmoreland, NY and Albert "Pete" Dzwonkas and his wife Caroline of Westmoreland, NY, and many nieces and nephews. Calling hours will be held on Friday October 24, 2008 from 4:00 PM to7:00 PM at Brown Funeral Home, 29 Broad Street in Plattsburgh. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday October 25, 2008 at 9:00 at St. Joseph's Church in Dannemora, NY. Burial will follow in St. Joseph's Cemetery in Dannemora. Donations in the memory of Antoinette "Toni" Beauchemin may be made to St. Joseph's Church, 179 Smith Street, Dannemora, New York. Online Condolence and Memorial Donations may be offered at www.brownfuneralhomeinc.com