Obituary of Shirley I. Bereza

HERKIMER – Shirley I. Bereza, age 88, a lifelong resident of our area, was reunited in heaven, with her beloved husband, Walter, on December 17, 2020, at Valley Health Services, Herkimer. To the utter dismay of the loss of their mother, all her children rejoice in their loving reunion. Shirley was born on July 19, 1932, the daughter of Eva Myers and William Wilson and attended Mohawk Central School. On July 23, 1949, Shirley married Walter Bereza, at Grace Episcopal Church. Together they enjoyed a loving relationship just shy of their 69th wedding anniversary. Shirley spent the beginning years of her married life taking care of their young children. After the birth of her youngest child with the assistance of her father-in-law, Walter, she began her work outside the home. She was first employed by General Electric, on Broad Street, in Utica, with the making of transistor radios. Her next job was closer to home, in the barrel room at Remington Arms, a very hard job for man or woman. She then went to work in the dietary department of MVGH, followed by a position as cook, at Herkimer Friendly’s restaurant. Her final work was at the Herkimer K-mart, where she worked for 14 years, retiring as cafeteria manager, in 1993. Mom, you were our most important teacher in life. You taught us to be tolerant of people, to be patient and understand how our actions would affect people. Also, to be kind and offer any help people did not have to get them through a rough day. Most of all, you taught us that your love was never ending and has helped all of us to get through both good and bad times in our lives. Shirley is survived by her six children, Carol (Joseph) Raymond, of Richfield Springs, Barbara Frank, of Mohawk, Janet (Robert) Yardley, of Herkimer, Stephen Bereza, of Ilion, William (Laura) Holzer) Bereza, of Saranac and Julie Walker, of Cleveland, NY; sister, Ferne Helmer, of Herkimer; brother-in-law, Richard Hadcock, of Mohawk; brother & sister-in-law John & Stella Bereza of Glenn Fall NY, daughter-in-law, Diane Bereza, of Frankfort and son-in-law Patrick Walker of Vernon Center. She is also survived by sixteen grandchildren, Stacy, Christine, Heather, Richard, Thomas, Erika, Ashley, Robert, Michael, Charlene, Sarah, Kathryn, Patrick, Christopher, Jordan and Marc; twenty-one great-grandchildren, whom she loved dearly and will carry on her legacy by, Maegan, Conner, Meadow, Annika, Fletcher, Adelaide, Gianna, Kamryn, Brodie, Claire, Julia, Rachael, Michael, Matthew, Blake, Andrew, Grace, Crystal, Alexander, Nathan, Noah and one on the way; and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings, Charles Wilson, Mary Myers, William Wilson, Mildred Wilson, Bertha Eysamen, Betty Hadcock, Seymour Wilson and Richard Wilson; and son-in-law, Richard Frank, Sister-in-Law Johanna (Bereza) Haley and her husband Bernard Haley. The family would like to thank the entire staff at Valley Health Services of two west for all the loving care and attention given to our mother during her final days and the last six years on this earth. Special thanks to Chris and all the wonderful nurses and CNA's who were so kind to us. Relatives and friends are invited to attend calling hours, on Friday, May 21, 2021, from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road (Town of Frankfort), Ilion, New York, 13357. Her funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 22, 2021, at 9:00 a.m., at the funeral home. Burial will follow the funeral service, at Calvary Cemetery, W. German St., Herkimer, NY. If you are planning to attend the calling hours or funeral service, due to Covid restrictions, a face mask will be required. Thank you. In lieu of flowers, as an expression of sympathy, memorial contributions may be made to Valley Health Services, 690 W. German Street, Herkimer, NY 13350, or Herkimer County Humane Society, 514 State Route 5s, Mohawk, NY 13407. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. Her family has planned all arrangements with the Enea & Ciaccia Family Funeral Home, 4309 Acme Road (Town of Frankfort), Ilion, New York, 13357, Funeral Directors Harry J. Enea, Jr., Kevin E. Enea & Martin L. Ciaccia (315) 894-8000. Online condolences may be left at www.eneafamily.com.