11/18/2025
Philomena (Patruno) Van Sciver
February 2, 1927 ~ November 16, 2025 (age 98)
Philomena Patruno Van Sciver passed away on November 16, 2025, surrounded by her loving family at Middletown Park Manor, Middletown, NY.
Philomena Patruno Van Sciver was born on February 2, 1927 (Ground Hog Day), in Long Beach, Long Island, NY to Ralph and Rose DiBari Patruno during a blizzard and was born on a family friend's dining room table.
Philomena grew up in a very Italian home and was first generation born in this country and was very proud of her Italian heritage. Her parents, in turn, were very proud American citizens. She enjoyed all the family Sunday dinners and holidays with all of the traditions that went with them, especially Christmas Eve when the feast of the seven fishes was celebrated. Family was very important to her.
Philomena graduated from Middletown High School, class of 1945. All four years of high school were during World War II. While in high school she volunteered working on the Rationing Board. In her last year she worked after school at the New York Rubber Plant, Defense Plant on Mulberry Street making Mae West jackets and inflatable life vests for the Air Force. She earned the Army/Navy award for her service.
After high school, Philomena worked for Dun and Bradstreet for many years.
Philomena married Kenneth W. Van Sciver on October 17, 1948 at St Joseph’s Catholic Church in Middletown, NY. They were blessed to have celebrated over seventy-one years together. It was a great journey, the best!! Together they raised three children who were the center of their life always.
In July, 1956, Philomena went to work for a newspaper called Record Good Morning. She started there one week before publication and retired after over thirty-three years. She was proud to be part of the new concept in newspaper called offset or cold type. She saw it go from a small operation all the way into the electronics age. It won many awards through the years. It was very interesting to her.
Philomena enjoyed making trays of all of her special cookies at Christmas and sharing them with everybody. She enjoyed having friends and family for dinner and just dropping in for a cup of coffee and conversation. Her door was always open to all.
Philomena and her husband enjoyed their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren being a part of their lives and making many memories to treasure.
Philomena is survived by her daughters, Gail Ann Mikulski and Cindy Belsito and her husband John. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Sean T. Mikulski Sr, Scott M. Mikulski, Brooke Chamberland and her husband, Dan Brew, Whitney Ford and husband Jeff, and Leah Snedegar and husband Ryan, and great grandchildren, Sean T. Mikulski, Jr, Skylar Mikulski, Scott Mikulski, Jackson and Connor Chamberland, Cooper, Paxton and Everly Snedegar and Owen and Claire Ford. She is also survived by her sisters-in-laws, Barbara Foti and Janet Patruno. Also survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins and friends who are like family.
Philomena was predeceased by her loving and devoted and best friend, Kenneth W. Van Sciver, Jr, son, Kenneth R. Van Sciver and daughter-in- law, Carol Mahoney Van Sciver and son-in-law, Thomas D. Mikulski. She was also predeceased by her parents, Ralph and Rose Patruno, sister, Nancy Schumaci and husband, Frank, brother, Savino Patruno, baby sister, Nuziatina Patruno. She was also predeceased by brother-in-law, Joseph Van Sciver and his wife Rose, sister-in-law, Mary Brigham and her husband Edward, Brother-in-law, Patsy Foti and father-in-law and mother-in-law, Kenneth and Marion Van Sciver, Sr.
Philomena would like to thank Dr. Robert Dinsmore, her dear friend for taking care of her for over thirty years with such tender, loving care and understanding and for always being there. And she would like to thank Dr. Gotsis for his special care also and for keeping her heart beating so she could continue to enjoy her life.
The family would also like to thank Park Manor Rehab Unit #1 for taking such good care of Philomena in her final days. We know how much you all loved her.
A visitation for family and friends will take place from 4-7 PM Thursday, November 20th at the Cornelius, Dodd & Connell Funeral Home, 26 Grove St., Middletown, NY.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11 AM Friday, November 21st at St. Joseph’s Church, 149 Cottage St., Middletown, NY. Interment will be in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Middletown.
In place of flowers, Philomena requests that you make a donation in her name to St Joseph’s Church or St Judes Children’s Hospital or a charity of your choice.