Obituary of Bertha B. Carpenter

WARRENSBURG - Bertha Belle Carpenter, 98, of Potter Brook Road, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2006, at her home in Warrensburg after a long and fulfilling life, surrounded by her loved ones. She was born Aug. 17, 1907, in Warrensburg, the daughter of the late Orlie and Maude (Reynolds) Potter. Bertha wed Edgar R. Carpenter in the spring of 1936, and they were married for a wonderful 25 years until his death in June of 1961. Left with eight children to raise on her own, for which were still in school, Bertha took on the responsibility of caring for each of them with endless love. with all the kids' help through the years, the Carpenters blossomed into a strong, beautiful family now including 25 grandchildren and 30 great-grandchildren, for she had all of the love in the world. She showed her love in many ways, including delicious home cooked meals everyday that were prepared from fresh vegetables grown in her garden, which happened to be her pride and joy. As for the winter time, there was no need to worry where the vegetables were coming from, there were hundreds of canned vegetables in the cellar that she had canned herself. The meat and eggs came from farm raised cattle, pigs, and chickens. Some of the best desserts and cookies imaginable were served daily at her house. She was told by visitors that every meal was like Thanksgiving, just without the cranberries. No one left her house hungry. No bird in the area went hungry either. Bertha took great enjoyment in watching the nearby birds feast at her many bird feeders outside the windows of her porch. She also spent many hours on her plants and flowers that would make a local greenhouse jealous. Without the modern convenience of common household appliances that are taken for granted, such as an automatic washer or dryer, of which she could care less for, she could often be seen in the middle of winter getting stiff as a board clothes off of the clothes line without a coat on and the closest pair of her son's work boats. Her days were filled with maintaining a household and taking care of her family as well as welcoming anyone else who was around as part of her own. She was predeceased by six of her seven siblings: William, John, Ruth, Myrtle, Orlie, and June, and a great-grandchild, Matthew Connor. Bertha was a wonderful wife, mother, and grandmother, and will be missed greatly by her family and friends. She is survived by her sister, Ethel (Potter) Maxam; her son, Phillip and his wife, Rosie, their two children and two grandchildren; daughter, Ellen Connor and her husband, Tom, their five children and seven grandchildren; son Robert, and his three children and three grandchildren; daughter, Mary Sweet and her husband, Jack, and their five children and 13 grandchildren; son, Donald and longtime companion, Donna Keck, their four children and three grandchildren; son, Edgar and his wife, Sheila, and their four children, and one grandchild; son, William and his wife, Leslie, their two children; and son, Richard and Lisa Penistan and her daughter. A special thanks to her wonderful care givers, Pearl Taylor, Frances Remington, and Cerise Dingman. Whenever the family thought Bertha needed it, Bill Orluk and Lyn Rodrigez would come to her house to give her the upmost health care possible. Recently, the services that Hospice provided for her and the family were found to be invaluable and were greatly appreciated. Friends may call on Bertha's family from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. today, Friday, at Alexander-Baker Funeral Home, 3809 Main St., Warrensburg. Funeral services will be conducted at 11 a.m. Saturday at the funeral home, with the Rev. Charles B. King Jr., rector of the Church of the Holy Cross in Warrensburg, officiating. Burial will follow at Warrensburg Cemetery. Expressions of sympathy may take the form of donations to the High Peaks Hospice, 286 Glen St., Glens Falls, NY 12801 or to the Warrensburg EMS, Warrensburg, NY 12885. Visit www.alexanderfuneralhomes.com for online guest book, condolences and directions.