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Born in Beacon, Staats earned a bachelor's in physical education from Boston College in 1950. She had seven children -- and she had a license plate that read "I HAD SEVEN." After they were grown, she became a fitness trainer, and she taught senior classes at the All Sport Health &Fitness in Poughkeepsie and Fishkill.
"She was always active," information from the funeral home noted. "She was an accomplished athlete who enjoyed many sports," with both her first and second husbands, as well as their many friends and family.
Staats "was a beautiful, graceful skier and a competitive tennis player," the funeral home continued. She was a member of the Dutchess Golf and Country Club for many years. "She loved to dance -- and would do so at any opportunity, play piano, and do needlework, mostly needlepoint." She also loved to entertain and had many close friends, with whom she played cards, bowled, gardened, shared meals, vacations and sports outings.
She is survived by her children, Phillip Sottile, Susan Walker, Judy Kinney, Jane Sottile, Stephanie Aldrich, Ginger Sottile and Tony Sottile; stepchildren Lynne and Eric; grandchildren Joshua, Jeremy, Cody, Madison, Zoe, Zachary, Jessica, Farron and Katrina; great-grandchildren Dominic, Stevie Jo, Georgie, Ava, Jaxon and Brandon; and many nieces and nephews.
Staats is predeceased by her parents, John and Caroline Newhard; brothers John and Edmund; first husband Phil; and second husband Herman.
A private memorial mass was held on Nov. 26 at Good Shepherd Church, in Rhinebeck. A celebration of her life will be held on March 4 at Arbor Ridge, in Rhinebeck, at 11 a.m. Burnett & White Funeral Homes assisted with arrangements.Click here to follow Daily Voice Northwest Dutchess and receive free news updates.
