Bertha M Pike

Bertha M. Pike, 97, formerly of Harvard Avenue, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning at the Haines City Health Care Center in Haines City Florida. She had been residing with her daughter and son in law in Winter Haven , Fla. for the past four years. Born in Amsterdam on September 30, 1909, she was the daughter of Stephen and Helen Pilecka Banewicz. In her earlier years, she worked for Bigelow Sanford Carpet Company and relocated to Thompsonville Conn. with the company in the 1950?s. Bertha later moved to Willamansett Mass. and was employed by the Spaulding Company. After residing in Kentucky for eight years, she returned to Amsterdam in 1977. Following her husband John?s death in September of 1976, Bertha remained active and was a member of St. Casimir?s Seniors, The Inman and Community Seniors and was a communicant of St. John The Baptist Roman Catholic Church. An avid bowler, Bertha was a member of several local leagues. She was also well known for her beautiful flower gardens. Her loving family includes her daughter Jean and her husband Bob Ford of Winter Haven Florida; her grandchildren; Leonard Ford PHD and his wife Tracy of King Wood Texas, David Ford PHD of San Ramon, Ca., Jack Ford of Fargo, N.D., and Cindy Ford ? Slagle and husband Paul of Arlington, Texas.; a great granddaughter; Haley Ford of King Wood, Texas; her sister; Rachel Sokolowski of Amsterdam NY ; and several nieces and nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her brothers; John and Andrew Banewicz; sisters; Edith Szypula, Sophie Egan, Helen Lipkin and Sadie Stanley English. Services are Saturday at 8:15 am at the Betz, Rossi & Bellinger Family Funeral Home, 171 Guy Park Avenue, followed by the Funeral Mass which will be offered by Fr. Stanley J. Swierzowski at 9:00 am at the Church Of St. John The Baptist. Interment is in St. John?s Cemetery. Calling hours are Friday from 4-7 pm at the funeral home. Contributions may be made to St. John the Baptist Church, 40 Vanderveer Street, Amsterdam 12010.