BERNICE (RANGER) BURDETT

ALMOND - Bernice R. Burdett, 104, formerly of Almond, who resided for the past eight years at Updyke's Willow Ridge, went to be with her Lord, Tuesday (March 6, 2007) at St. James Mercy Hospital following a short illness.

Born in Hornellsville, June 5, 1902, a daughter of Curt D. and Marie Antionette Nicholson Ranger, she lived on the Turnpike in Hornell, where her family started peddling milk in 1906 under the name Ranger Brothers, which later became Elmhurst Dairy.

Bernice graduated from Hornell High School in 1919 and Geneseo State Normal School in 1921. She had taught elementary education in Perry, Long Island, Endicott, and Bryant and Washington Schools in Hornell prior to raising her family. She returned to teaching at Alfred-Almond Central School, retiring in 1966.

On Sept. 1, 1934, she married Donald S. Burdett and together they made their home in Hornell and on the Pennsylvania Hill Road, moving to Almond in 1967.

Bernice was the oldest member of the Almond Union of Churches, a member and Past Matron of Ivanhoe Chapter No. 160 O.E.S., Almond Historical Society, 20th Century Club Library and Almond Senior Citizens. She and her husband were staunch supporters of Bethesda Hospital, serving as volunteers for many years.

Bernice was blessed with a keen mind and quick wit, and her greatest pleasure was spending time with her family, with whom she loved sharing her experiences and her wisdom. She enjoyed traveling, and in 1932, she and a friend drove across country in her 1930 Ford coupe. One of the highlights of this adventure was when they attended the opening ceremonies of the 1932 Olympics.

She was honored two years ago by the Hornell High School Alumni Association 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; three brothers, Harold H., Ralph D. and Frank E. Ranger; and infant grandson, Eric Lee Ryan.

She is survived by three daughters, Betsey (Galen) Stout of Wellsville, Donna (Lee) Ryan of Almond and Janice (Carl) Leathersich of Canisteo; 11 grandchildren, 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, Ind., Amy (Shane) Conner of Mount Morris, Scott (Danelle) Leathersich of Henrietta, Erin (Ethan) Tuke of Wernersville, Pa., Carol (Dennis) Lang of West Seneca and Sandra Burdell of Hornell; 21 great-grandchildren; two great-great-grandchildren; and several special nieces, nephews and cousins.

Burial will be in Almond Woodlawn Cemetery.

Those wishing to remember Bernice may make memorial contributions to Almond Union of Churches, 11 Main St., Almond, NY 14804, to Almond Historical Society, 7 Main St., Almond, NY 14804, or to the Almond Twentieth Century Club Library, Main Street, Almond, NY 14804.