Former longtime Bay Shore residents Edna VanDerzee and her husband Leonard died on October 17, 2007 only hours apart at High View Health Care Center in Middletown, Connecticut. Edna, 90, and Leonard, 92, were married for 71 years.

Born on August 2, 1917 as Edna Bausch in Jamaica, Mrs. VanDerzee spent her life as a beautician and caring for her family. Leonard, or "Van," was born in Manhattan on November 17, 1914 and graduated as valedictorian from Farmingdale High School. For many years he worked at Montauk Pontiac in Bay Shore as a bookkeeper and manager.

The couple leaves behind their children: Judy of Plainview and Robert and his wife Susan of Durham, Connecticut; grandchildren: Richard Kerzner and his wife Susan, Kathryn Gunter and her husband Jerry, Deborah Kerzner, Cynthia Kerzner, Christina Kerzner, Barbara Bein and her husband David Keith and his wife Brooke, Karin Coutsouridis and her husband Peter, Mark Abby and his wife Sasha and Kate; ten great grandchildren; two step grandchildren; Edna's cousin, Tina Oster Sattig of Farmingdale; Leonard's sister, Joan Sykes and her husband Roger of Florida; as well as many nieces and nephews. Edna was predeceased by her sister, Rose Janzer and Leonard was predeceased by his sisters, Estelle Somers, Frances Keene and Marge Columbus.

A funeral service was held by Doolittle Funeral Home, Middletown, Connecticut and locally on October 17, 2007 by the Arthur F. White Funeral Home in Farmingdale. A Funeral Service was held at Calverton Lutheran Church in Hauppauge on October 21, 2007 followed by private cremation.

Donations in the VanDerzee's name can be sent to a charity of choice.