NORWICH – Bernice A. Newcomb, 81, formerly of Canasawacta Street, Norwich, passed away Monday, Sept. 3, 2007 in the New York State Veterans’ Home of Oxford.
Born in Binghamton in 1926, Bernice was the daughter of Bernard and Florence (Brown) Albert. She was a 1944 graduate of the Norwich High School, after which she attended and graduated from Cornell University. On May 6, 1950, in Norwich, Bernice married Howard C. Newcomb. Bernice taught school for five years in South Otselic and Georgetown, and worked for a brief time at Scintilla in Sidney, before deciding to further her education. She attended classes at Syracuse University, graduating with her BA degree in fine arts and education, then put her education to work by teaching in the Norwich City School Art Department for 20 years. Very active in the Norwich Order of the Eastern Star in her younger days, Bernice was a Past Matron, having served in that office several times, and was also Past Grand Historian. Over the years, she had enjoyed going to the Grand Chapter sessions, both in New York City and in various cities around the state. She was a 50-year member of Eta Epsilon, belonged to both the Norwich and Sherburne garden clubs, and was listed in Who’s Who in the American Art Teacher’s Association. Bernice had been a member of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church since the age of 12.
Having no children of their own, Bernice and Howard took handicapped, physically abused, and emotionally problemed children into their own home to give them counsel and support through their crisis times.
Bernice is survived by her sister, Betty Shorter of Norwich; by nieces and nephews; her brother-in-law. Harry Balmer of Syracuse, and by two very close friends whom Bernice thought of as her own, R. David Boyd of Arizona and Marcia Kalyin of Georgetown. She was predeceased by her husband, Howard, on July 4, 1987, and her sister, Rieta Balmer.
Funeral services for Bernice will be held at 11 a.m. Friday from the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home. The Rev. Glenn Mahaffey, Rector of the Emmanuel Episcopal Church, will officiate. Interment will follow in Mt. Hope Cemetery.
Friends are invited to call at the R.J. Fahy Funeral Home on Friday from 10 to 11 a.m. At 10 a.m., members of the Order of the Eastern Star will conduct a memorial service for Bernice at the funeral home.