It is with great sadness the family of Dorothy McElynn Kirnan announces her passing on December 14, 2017 at her home in Walden, New York.

Dorothy was the eldest of five children born to the late Philip J. McElynn, Sr. and Mary Haggerty McElynn, in Brooklyn, New York on February 1, 1920.  She was 97 years old and the widow of William E. Kirnan.

She graduated from St. Agnes Seminary in 1938, the only female seminary in the State.  At that time she received a scholarship to Ladycliff College.   However, due to the affects of the Depression, she went to work to help support the family who had suffered great losses, at Macy’s Department Store on 34th Street in Manhattan in the Chief Cashier’s Office, until her marriage in 1946.

In 1955 Dorothy and her husband along with their six children moved to Walden, New York, where she would spend the rest of her life working and raising a family.  After adding two more children to the family, she went to work for Orange County when her youngest child entered school.  She was employed as Deputy Director of Motor Vehicles and served 25 years in that capacity where she made many lifelong friendships.  She was known for having an “open door policy” at her home for individuals and dealers to conduct their motor vehicle transactions without having to personally visit one of the offices.               

She was a long time parishioner of Church of the Most Precious Blood Parish having a very strong and deep Catholic faith. For 20 plus years she was known for scheduling the lectors at Most Precious Blood Church and St. Benedict’s Chapel in Wallkill.   She was known for her acute mind and being a voracious reader throughout her life, as well as having a strong opinion on politics and enjoyed a lively political discussion.

 Mom volunteered for many years at the Office of the Aging preparing tax returns for senior citizens, served as a literacy volunteer for inmates at the Wallkill Correctional Facility, was a charter member of FISH, member of the Town of Montgomery Republican Women’s Club and also volunteered for the local Meals on Wheels.

Her family was always her priority and loved being with them all on holidays and special occasions.  She was the Matriarch of the family and will be missed dearly by all.

Survivors include her six children: Bill Kirnan and wife Veronica, Anne Barnhart and husband Richard, Kathleen Vogel and husband Joseph, Eileen VanderEssen, Steve Kirnan and wife Terri, and Richard Kirnan, as well as her thirteen grandchildren, Kathleen Gomez, Matthew VanderEssen and wife Alexis, Jennifer Aviles and husband Manuel, Christopher Vogel and wife Jennifer, Meghan Doyle and husband Jason, Caitlin Barnhart, Justin Kirnan and wife Amy, Ryan Kirnan and wife Ashley, Laura Ramos and husband Jorge, Leah Costello and husband Tim, Sinead Kirnan, Ciara Kirnan and Fiona Kirnan.  She is also survived by 18 great-grandchildren, Alicia, Alexa, Amanda, Adam, Ethan, Maia, Taina, Manny, Julian, Aubrey, Madeline, Keegan, Dylan, Jackson, Presley, Brynlee, Mac, Evyn and one great-great grandchild Jalen; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was predeceased by her husband William (1976), son Thomas (1975) and daughter Dorothy (2003), granddaughter Siobhan (1988) in addition to her sisters Eileen McEntee and Marie Young, and brothers Philip McElynn, Jr. and Robert McElynn.

Visitation is planned for Monday December 18, 2017 from 3-9pm at Millspaugh Funeral Home, 22 Bank St., Walden, NY 12586.

A Mass of Christian Burial will take place Tuesday, December 19, 2017 at 10:30 am at Church of the Most Precious Blood, 42 Walnut Street, Walden, NY.

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