Agnes Trill Funk, of Upper Brookville, died on June 28, 2011, at the age of 79. She was born on Sept. 22, 1931. She was a noted philanthropist. Agnes and her late husband John Funk [he died in September 2003] were devoted to raising funds for charities that helped children. They included: the National Center for Disability Services; Schneider Children’s Hospital; the Long Island Philharmonic; Meals on Wheels; St. Mary’s Children & Family Services in Syosset; and St. Christopher-Ottilie; the Gift of Life donor program; and the Children’s Medical Fund.
She donated $1 million in 2004 to the Thomas Hartman Foundation for Parkinson’s Research, based in East Islip, in support of her friend, Msgr. Thomas Hartman, who has the disease. In 2005, she was named Lady of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem for her devotion to the Roman Catholic Church and her philanthropy, an honor she received at a ceremony at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in NYC followed by a banquet at the Waldorf Astoria.
The Funks were a devoted couple from their first on stage kiss in a play. She delighted in encouraging him to sing show tunes at parties. The Funks traveled to charity events bringing along a large group of close friends to share their enjoyment of charity events.
She celebrated her 75th birthday with a party for fundraisers held at the Crest Hollow Inn, where one of them won a donation for their charity, as her birthday present to them.
A woman with over 100 wigs to chose from, she chose to make the world a better place for children. She lost her only baby in childbirth, but said it left her free to be the mother of many more children.
Arrangements were made by the Whitting Funeral Home, Glen Head. Funeral Mass at St. Paul the Apostle Church, Brookville. Interment Pinelawn Memorial Park.
