Grace A Bergen

Grace Pollard Bergen, 98, of Henrietta Boulevard, passed away with her daughter, Karen, by her side at Wilkinson Residential Health Care Facility in Amsterdam on Sunday, September 2, 2018. It was on the 100th birthday of her late husband, James T. Bergen. Born in Amsterdam on June 18, 1920, she was the daughter of the late John R. Pollard and Agnes Van Kleeck Pollard.

Grace lived in her home on Henrietta Boulevard from the age of 3. She graduated from Wilbur H. Lynch High School in 1937. On May 17, 1940 she married the love of her life James T. Bergen, Jr. They were married for 75 years when “Berg” passed away on August 5, 2015. For a number of years Grace worked at Mohasco in the Shipping Department and later for the Greater Amsterdam School District as a teacher’s aide. Anyone who knew Grace would know that her life was about home and family. She was a lifelong New York Yankee fan and appreciated the televised encore games; that way she only had to watch when “her” Yankees won. Grace never traveled very far but never missed an opportunity to spend time with her grandsons in Philadelphia.

The number one goal in her later years was to stay in the home that her father built and that she loved. She almost made it! For her to be able to stay there as long as she did, it literally took a village of caring people to help her. We, her family, would like to publicly thank all of those people. To all her wonderful and kind neighbors, Amsterdam Family Practice, Dr. Droege, the nurses and staff and especially Paula Hayes, we will be forever grateful. Our heartfelt appreciation to Joey Davey, Christine Stanavich and family, Meghan and Mark Mortensen, Gail Antos, Marie Davey, Bob and Betsy Martin, Frank, Rita and Frankie Mucilli, Debbie and Larry Bradwell, Audrey Russo and her boys, Michelle Yeager and Ernie Scialabba, Mary and Andy Iannotti, Rich Lisko, Kathy Friday, Debbie Wilde, Dickie Morreale, Matt Carroll, Mark Robertshaw, Laura Vecsey, Teresa Bush and Diane Tuman. Last, but not least, and most especially Angie Orengo and “her Angels”. We can never thank you enough; Grace loved you all, as do we. Because of all of you, she spent most of her final days in the place that she loved, her home. Grace’s family would like to thank the staff at Wilkinson RHCF and Community Hospice of Amsterdam for their kindness and compassion during her illness.

Grace is survived by her son, James T. Bergen, III of Coatesville, PA, her daughter, Karen Tuman, her son-in-law, Dr. W. Michael Tuman of Erdenheim, PA. Grace is also survived by two grandsons, Dr. Ryan M. Tuman (Lizanne) and Christopher James Tuman; one great grandson Wyatt Thomas Tuman all of Philadelphia and “her chosen daughter”, Dianne Wilde of Rochester, NY. Grace was predeceased by her daughter, Bonnie Lee Bergen in 1961.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, September 8th, 2018 at 10:30 at Riley Mortuary, Inc., 110 Division St., Amsterdam NY followed at 11:15 by a Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated at St. Mary’s Church, 156 East Main St., Amsterdam.

Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Fort Johnson, NY.

Calling hours are Friday from 5:00 to 7:00 p.m. at Riley Mortuary.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts in Grace’s name can be made to the Nursing Education Fund, The Foundation of St. Mary’s Healthcare, 427 Guy Park Avenue, Amsterdam, NY 12010. (Memo) Joanne C. Davey), or Montgomery County SPCA,1007 Route 5S, Amsterdam NY 12010.

To send online condolences to the family, visit www.rileymortuaryinc.com