Aileen Gackstatter

Friends will be received at the funeral home on Wednesday February 11th from 1-2 PM.

A funeral service will take place at 2 PM.

Interment will take place 11 AM on Thursday in St. Denis Cemetery, Hopewell Junction.

Aileen Gackstatter passed away on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 at home.  Born on October 25, 1961 in Wingdale, NY, daughter to the late Kathleen Fenty and Henry Francis Gackstatter.  She was the youngest of four children, two sisters and one brother. Her sister, Patricia Apuzzo from Humble, TX was an actively involved advocate for Aileen for many years until her passing.

After losing her mother at the age of two, her father placed her at Wassaic Developmental Center. In 1977, Aileen moved into a Family Care Home in Dutchess County.  Then in 1994,  she moved to Grant IRA under the oversight of Marantha Human Services until 2024 when ARC Mid-Hudson began oversight. Although Aileen used minimum words to communicate, she was able to express her wants, needs and desires. She loved her personal space that was always decorated in her favorite color, Pink.

In Aileen's younger days, she worked in the sheltered workshop overseen by Dutchess County ARC. Later, she attended Day Habilitation with the Pecora Program under ARC of Mid-Hudson in Kingston, NY. She built wonderful relationships with peers and staff at all programs.

Aileen was known by her closest friends and extended family as "Lady A" and the "Princess" of her home. She was a very routine woman who was set in her ways. You would find her dancing and twirling to all music. She loved wearing anything Pink. She was quite the flirt to her male friends and would refer to them as "My Honey". Aileen had a contagious laugh and smile. She enjoyed trips to the reservoir, watching the deer in her backyard and vacationing yearly at the Pine Ridge Dude Ranch. She loved being woken up to staff singing  "Good Morning Sunshine".

Although she was getting older and slowing down, she continued to be active listening to music, Legos, having her nails and hair done. Aileen made a forever impression on all the lives she touched. She will be deeply missed and her memory will be forever cherished!