Bertha L. Blackman, 92, of East Pharsalia, NY died on August 26,
2017 at Chenango Memorial Hospital Nursing Home where she had
been for a short time. She was born on June 30, 1925 in McDonough,
NY to Ward and Rose Gardner Manwarren.
On November 25, 1942 she married Frederick W. Blackman in
New Berlin, NY in a double wedding ceremony with her brother and
future sister-in-law Stewart Manwarren and June Blackman.
Bertha worked at the Berglas Co., Norwich Shoe Co., Norwich
Knitting Mill, and was a nurse’s aide and caretaker for several individuals
in the Norwich and Oxford area especially Fay and Charlotte
Edgarton.
She lived in Preston for many years and wintered in Summerfield,
FL. For the last twelve years she lived in East Pharsalia, NY. She was
a member of the Preston and Pharsalia Fire Department Auxiliaries.
She also enjoyed playing cards, crocheting, cooking, camping, and
their camp at Bradley Brook. She loved gifting her beautiful towels
to family and friends. Her most loved possession were her children,
grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.
Bertha is survived by her husband of nearly 75 years, Fred
Blackman. Her three sons and their wives; Larry and Jean Blackman,
Donnie and Rosie Blackman, and Milt and Ginny Blackman. Her four
grand-daughters and their spouses; Renee and Troy Setford, Tonya and
Eric Brownell, Tammy and Drew DeForest, and Heather Blackman.
Her eight great-grandchildren; Jacob, Jordan, and Ella Setford; MaryClare
Brownell; Colton and Mary Beth Youngs; and Tyler and Ryan
Crandall.
Also one brother, Melvin “Doc” Manwarren; brothers-in-law; Les
Blackman and Lester Blackman; sisters-in-law; Helen Markham, June
Manwarren, Grace Franklin, Kathy Manwarren, Joyce Blackman, and
Mary Blackman.
She was pre-deceased by her parents; her sister Ruth Barr;
her brothers Kenneth, Roland, Arley, Lavern, Stewart, and Myron
Manwarren; brothers-in-law; Carl Blackman, Art Blackman, Leonard
Blackman, Ray Markham, Ed Horton, Leon “Stub” Franklin, and Dick
Crandall; sisters-in-law; Dorothy Manwarren, Mildred Manwarren,
Myrtle Horton, Doris Crandall, Bonnie Blackman, and Doris Blackman
Calling hours will be on Thursday, August 31, 2017 from 10:00
AM to 12:00 PM with the funeral services to follow at the R. J. Fahy
Funeral Home, 116 North Broad Street, Norwich, NY. Burial will be
at the Riverview Cemetery, Oxford, NY.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Pharsalia
Volunteer Fire Company, P.O. Box 41, East Pharsalia, NY, 13758.