Bernice Ranger Burdett
Almond
Bernice R. Burdett, 104, formerly of Almond, who resided forthe past eight years at Updyke's Willow Ridge, wentto be with her Lord, Tuesday (March6, 2007) at. St. James MercyHospital following a short illness.
Born in Hornellsville, June 5, 1902, a daughter of CurtD. and Marie Antoinette Nicholson Ranger,she had resided on the Turnpike in Hornell, where her family started peddlingmilk in 1906under the name Ranger Brothers, which later became Elmhurst Dairy.
Bernice graduated from Hornell High Schoolin 1919 and Geneseo State NormalSchool class of 1921. She had taught elementary education in Perry, Long Island, Endicott and Bryant and Washington Schools in Hornell, prior to raising herfamily. She returned to teaching at Alfred-Almond Central School,retiring in 1966.
On Sept.1, 1934 she married Donald S. Burdett and togetherthey made their home in Hornell and on the
Pennsylvania Hill Road, moving to Almondin 1967
Bernice was the oldest member of the Almond Union ofChurches, a member and Past Matron of Ivanhoe Chapter #160 O.E.S., AlmondHistorical Society, 20TH Century Club Library and Almond SeniorCitizens. She and her husband werestaunch supporters of Bethesda Hospital, serving asvolunteers for many years.
Bernice was blessed with a keen mind and quick wit, and hergreatest pleasure was spending time with her family with whom she loved sharingher experiences and her wisdom. Sheenjoyed traveling and in 1932, she and a friend drove across country in her1930 Ford coupe.
One of the highlights of this adventure was when theyattended the opening ceremonies of the 1932 Olympics.
She was honored two years ago by the Hornell High AlumniAssociation as the oldest living graduate, and was crowned " queen " at Updyke's this past year.
She was predeceased by her husband , a step daughter, Anna Ruth Seaman, a step son, Robert D. Burdett, threebrothers , Harold H, Ralph D. and Frank E. Ranger, and infant grandson Eric LeeRyan.
She is survived by three daughters; Betsey ( Galen ) Stoutof Wellsville
Donna (Lee) Ryan of Almond
Janice ( Carl) Leathersich ofCanisteo
11 Grand children; Linda ( Simon Wheeler) Stout of Ithaca ,Lisa Stout VanDerEems of Canandaigua , Timothy( Sarah Boyce ) Stout of Rochester, Jeffrey ( Lisa) Ryan of Canisteo, Jenny(Bill) Baker of Almond, Heidi ( David ) Lindley of Anderson, IN, Amy ( Shane)Conner of Mount Morris, Scott ( Danelle ) Leathersich of Henrietta, Erin ( Ethan ) Tuke of Wernersville Pa., Carol ( Dennis) Lang of WestSeneca and Sandra Burdell of Hornell.
21 Great Grandchildren and 2 Great GreatGrandchildren, several special nieces, nephews and cousins.
The family will be present to receive friends from 4-7pmSaturday, March 10, 2007, at the Robertson Funeral Home,
354 Canisteo St, Hornell. Funeral services will be held at 3:00 PM on Sunday, March 11, 2007, at the Almond Union Of Churches with the Rev. Steve Dygertofficiating. Burial will be in Almond Woodlawn Cemetery.
Those wishing to send a remembrance please visit
www.brownandpowersfuneralhomes.com
Those wishing to remember Bernice may make memorialcontributions to: Almond Union of churches, 11 main st.Almond, N. Y. 14804,
Almond Historical Society,
7 Main St. Almond, N.Y. 14804or the Almond Twentieth CenturyClub Library, Main St. Almond, N.Y.14804