Paula M. Dankowski

Paula Dankowski of Plattsburgh, N.Y., formerly of Wainscott, died on Aug. 3 at the Visiting Nurse Association Respite House in Colchester, Vt. She was 58 and had been diagnosed with lung cancer 18 months ago.

Ms. Dankowski was born on Jan. 6, 1959, at Southampton Hospital, one of two children of the former Barbara C. Bahns and Henry E. Dankowski Jr., who died last August. Her mother and brother, Peter Dankowski, both of Wainscott, survive, as does her longtime companion, Steven Peterson of Plattsburgh.

She graduated from Mercy High School in Riverhead in 1977 and for three years took classes at the State Universities at Cobleskill and Morrisville.

According to her family, she “loved walking on the beach, and had a great passion for animals, especially horses.” They said that her greatest wish was to ride again.

A Mass of Christian burial was said on Aug. 8 at Queen of the Most Holy Rosary Catholic Church in Bridgehampton, followed by burial in the family plot at the Wainscott Cemetery. The family has suggested donations in Ms. Dankowski’s name to the V.N.A. Respite House, 3113 Roosevelt Highway, Colchester, Vt. 05446.