Bernice Andrews

Rotterdam - Bernice Iva Andrews (Fancher) went peacefully home to the Lord on Friday, August 10, 2012.

She was born on March 28, 1927 in Richmondville, NY, the daughter of Sanford and Ella (King) Fancher.

Graduating from Cobleskill High School and what is now SUNY Cobleskill, with a degree in child guidance, she worked with children in Watervliet, NY and Providence, RI. She married Paul Andrews in 1948 and together they built a life in Rotterdam, NY.

A devoted Christian, she lived her Faith! Bernice was an active lifelong member of Carman United Methodist Church. Her service to her community included being a 4-H leader, a Rotterdam Lioness and a mentor in Schenectady County Social Service programs. She was also an Iroquois Indian Museum patron and volunteer. One of her most satisfiying achievements was being an certified literacy Braille transcriber through the U.S. Library of Congress.

Bernice was an avid gardener, bird-watcher, talented artist and crafter. She loved spending time with family and friends, taking pleasure from each day's simple joys and generously sharing them.

Her husband Paul S. Andrews (click here to view obituary) passed away in 2011; she is also predeceased by granddaughter, Kate Schoonbeck, and brother-in-law, John Watson.

She is survived by her children - Linda (Ronald) Beckering of Northville, NY; Keith (Catherine) Andrews of Amsterdam, NY; Gail Andrews and Jean (David) Schoonbeck of Rotterdam, NY; Joneen (Mark) Mortensen of Mansfield, MA; and Sherry (Robert) Macey of Clifton Park, NY; 14 grandchildren and 15 great grandchildren. Also survived by her sisters, Beatrice Watson of NH and Elizabeth (Thomas) Mulligan of FL and a sister-in-law, Eileen (Alvin) Herskovitz of FL.

A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, August 18, 2012 at 11:00 a.m. at Carman United Methodist Church, 2350 Hamburg Street, Schenectady, NY with the Rev. Marvin Batcher presiding. Family and friends may call at the church from 10:00 to 11:00 a.m.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to Carman United Methodist Church (2350 Hamburg Street, Schenectady, NY 12306), the Schenectady City Mission (425 Hamilton Street, Schenectady, NY 12305) or the Iroquois Indian Museum (324 Caverns Road, Howes Cave, NY 12092); or please feel free to donate to the charity of your choice.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Mereness-Putnam Funeral Home, 171 Elm St., Cobleskill, NY. The provision for online condolences and additional information is available at www.merenessputnamfuneralhome.com.

Beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, Bernice leaves behind a legacy of faith, family, love, honor and grace, to her bereaved family and all who knew her.