Barbara "Dolly" Markess

Barbara D. “Dolly” Markess, 94, of Brightwaters, N.Y., formerly of New Brighton, went to be with her Lord on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.

Born May 22, 1932, in East Rochester, she was the daughter of the late Tomas M. and Barbara M. (Kirin) Markess. Dolly will be remembered for her dedication to nursing, her commitment to education, and her many years of service to the healthcare community.

A graduate of New Brighton High School, Class of 1950, she continued her education at Geneva College and Duquesne University, preparing for a lifelong career in nursing and healthcare. She was a registered nurse and earned a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Duquesne University. She taught at the Rochester School of Nursing and served as director of maternal child health.

Dolly devoted much of her professional life to Beaver Valley Medical Center, where she served as a clinical nurse and became an important part of the hospital’s administration. In addition to her clinical and administrative responsibilities, she shared her knowledge and experience with future generations of nurses as an instructor. Her commitment to nursing education and patient care also extended to Providence Care Center, where she continued to make a difference through her work and dedication. She was also the Director of Maternal Health care at Beaver Valley

Dolly’s professional accomplishments reflect a lifetime of compassion, leadership, and dedication. Her influence extended beyond the many patients she cared for to the nurses she taught, mentored, and inspired throughout her career.

After retiring from her administrative position at Beaver Valley Medical Center, she worked in home care and cared for both of her aging parents.

Dolly loved to travel and meet her relatives around the world. She enjoyed being involved with her Croatian heritage. She was passionate about Croatian culture, learning the language, dancing, and listening to the music. She belonged to the Croatian Kolo ensemble and performed with them internationally.

Dolly had a true calling to help others. She always put others above herself. She treated her nieces and nephews as if they were her own children and was very involved in their lives.

She is survived by her sister, Pauline; cousins Paul (Carolyn), Michael, and Veronica (Mitchel) Kirin; nieces and nephews Christi Attisani, Sue (Hunt) Lyman, Michael (Monica) Attisani, and David (Christina) Attisani; and grandnieces and grandnephews Benjamin, Luke, Gabrielle, Bryce, Nicolas, Christian Attisani, and Christian Lyman.

She was preceded in death by Dominick Attisani, her godson.

Friends will be received Monday, November 16, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. until time of prayers at 12:30 p.m. in J&J Spratt Funeral Home, 1612 Third Ave, New Brighton.  A Mass of Christian burial will follow at Our Lady of the Valley Parish, Holy Family Church, 521 7th Ave, New Brighton at 1 p.m.

She will be laid to rest beside her parents in St. Joseph Cemetery, New Brighton.