Philomena Bast

Loving Mother And Grandmother

Philomena Bast, 90, of Leeds, N.Y., died suddenly September 13, at her home. She was born June 24, 1921, in Brooklyn, N.Y., the daughter of Angelina (Colapinto) and Thomas Castellana.

Two sons, including Thomas Bast, and his wife Virginia, of Newtown; and two grandchildren survive Mrs Bast.

Already an accomplished pianist at age 14, one of her many performances included a solo recital at Carnegie Hall. She continued to play and teach throughout her life.

During World War II, Mrs Bast was a Teletype cryptographer for the US Navy, in a then-secret location in Manhattan. After the war, she accepted a position working for the US Army Graves Registration Command in Europe, where she met and married Nicholas Bast. They returned to Brooklyn in 1950, and moved to Ossining, N.Y., in 1963. She retired from the Veteran’s Administration in 1986. The Basts retired to Leeds that year.

From a young age, Mrs Bast spent summers in the Catskills, a tradition she continued with her children and grandchildren.

Calling hours are scheduled for Friday, September 16, from 4 to 8 pm, at Traver & McCurry Funeral Home, 234 Jefferson Heights, Catskill. Funeral services will take place Saturday, September 17, at the funeral home, from 9 to 10:30 am, followed by an 11 am Mass at Sacred Heart Church, in Cairo, N.Y. Cremation will be private, with interment in the Town of Catskill Cemetery at the convenience of the family.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made tot Windham Chamber Music Festival, 740 Route 23C, Windham NY, 12499.

The Newtown Bee   September 16, 2011