Obituary of Marie P. Sperry

Marie P. Sperry Sidney, NY Marie P. Sperry, 93, of Sidney passed away January 22, 2013 at the A.O. Fox Nursing Home in Oneonta following a brief illness. She was born March 16, 1919, in Bronx, NY, the daughter of Milton H. and Caroline (Bopp) Patterson. Marie married Ward A. Sperry on June 28, 1941. Ward died on March 18, 1986. Marie spent her childhood in Guttenberg, NJ and Delhi, NY. Prior to her marriage, she was proud of having worked as secretary to Dr. Russell Cecil, author of the Cecil Textbook of Medicine used by physicians worldwide. She was introduced to her future husband, Ward, a Lieutenant Commander in the US Navy, by his sister Beatrice, and they were married three months later in Riverside Church, Manhattan, NY. Ward and Marie lived most of their married life in the Syracuse, Fayetteville and Manlius, NY area. After a brief time in Colorado and Arizona, they moved to New Berlin and later to Earlville. Marie spent her final years in Sidney. Marie's family always came first. She was a stay-at-home mom throughout the childhood of her eight children until the youngest, John, went to school. She worked as a secretary for Hartford Steam Boiler Insurance Company while living in Colorado, and later for Preferred Mutual Insurance in New Berlin. A quiet and shy person with a gentle, loving spirit, Marie was a true and lifelong friend to those who knew her best. She was happiest when surrounded by her family, and as the number grew, she never forgot a birthday or an anniversary. Marie is survived by two sons, Dr. Charles (Myra) Sperry of Missoula, MT; James Sperry, Glastonbury, CT; and five daughters, Carol (David) Allen, Sidney, NY, with whom she lived the last three years of her life; Judith Sumner, Boulder, CO; Nancy Birmingham (Glenn) Hague, Live Oak, FL; Marion Howe, Kingsport, TN; and Janet (Dave) Doherty, Rio Rancho, NM; and two former daughters-in-law, Beverly Lewis, Pierre, SD; and Susan Sullenberger, Lakeland, FL. Marie is also survived by fifteen grandchildren: Charles (Tammy) Sperry; Fern (Mike) Harmon; Jennifer (Thomas) Steger; Elizabeth (Daniel) Smith; Jason (Lisa) Sumner; Margaret (Michael) Loperfido; Joshua, Shiloh, Aaron and Rachel Birmingham; Jeffrey Howe; Jessica (Carey) Lane; David (Audrey) Andolina; Allison (John) Meyers; and PFC Matthew Sperry, US Marine Corps; three step-grandchildren: Angela McCann, and Christopher and Bradley Lund; plus sixteen great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews, and her loving spiritual family in the Church of Christ in Sidney. In addition to her husband, Marie was predeceased by her youngest son, John, her parents, and a brother, Milton Patterson. In lieu of a funeral, the family will hold a graveside service in celebration of Marie's life at Machpelah Cemetery, LeRoy, NY, in the spring, where she will be buried next to her husband. Donations in Marie's memory can be made to the Delaware Valley Humane Society, PO Box 182, Sidney, NY 13838. Condolences may be sent to the family online at www.landersfh.com. Arrangements are under the direction of C.H. Landers Funeral Chapel, Sidney.