Update: Dobbs Ferry Mother Dies Shortly After Swim at Ardsley Club

Dobbs Ferry's MaryEllen Venditto died Tuesday after experiencing medical problems in the pool at the Ardsley Swim and Tennis Club, Greenburgh police said.

The 46-year-old was swimming laps when she started showing signs of distress, Gloria Spector, the club's president, said. "One club member is a firefighter and he acted immediately to help her. It seems her heart stopped while she was in the water. It was not a drowning."

Greenburgh police paramedics arrived on the scene shortly after Venditto had been removed from the water and were assisted by the Ardsley volunteer ambulance corp.  Paramedics were able to establish an airway and stabilize her before transporting Venditto to the emergency room at St. John's Riverside Hospital's Dobbs Ferry Pavilion. She was then transferred to New-York Presbyterian hospital in New York City.

"It was classified as a medical emergency," Greenburgh police Chief Joseph DeCarlo said. "She was able to signal she was in distress, but unfortunately it was too late."

Spector expressed deep concern for the victim's family.

"What happened yesterday was terrible, terrible...and we're all still grieving," Spector said. "She has 9-year-old and 11-year-old children who need a mother desperately."   

An autopsy was performed by the New York City medical examiner's office, but cause of death has not yet been determined.