Berniece Helen Frye

Bereneice Helen Sherman Frye passed peacefully at home with her family in Roswell, NM, March 14, 2022. There were no services, by request. A memorial will be held at a later date. Born in a brisk February blizzard in Harford Mills, NY, 1931, to Henry and Thelma Swank Sherman, “Bernie” attended Marathon Elementary and graduated a year early from Marathon High School in Marathon, NY. She and her older sister Mary both attended business school in Syracuse, NY, and Bernie went on to work in bank bookkeeping, proofing, and auditing. She married James B Frye, Jr. in July 1951, and they had 2 daughters. When Jimmy retired from the telephone company, they co-owned and operated a model railroad hobby shop for a number of years. Bernie was an indefatigable reader, a diarist, and letter-writer to her many lifelong- and newer-friends. She was a member of Senior Circle, Easterners club, the weekly Rummikube/occasional-card-games gang on NM Drive and attended as many alumni gatherings in Marathon as she was able. She enjoyed traveling on US East Coast, CA, CO, ID, NM, Canada, Mexico, Dominican Republic, Bermuda, Bahamas. Berneice was a gentlewoman with rock-solid ethics, always respected and respectful, with never a bad word to say about anybody, a kind, considerate, generous friend, quiet yet very funny, sharp-witted, warm, caring, and the best mom anyone could hope for. It was an honor to know her and to care for her in return for all the love she gave us. Bernie is survived by her daughters: Cynthia (Richard) Andre of Roswell, NM, Susan (Mark) Jennings of WA; 4 grandchildren in CO, WA, TX and Korea; two nephews and a niece in NY and FL; children of her cousins in NY and NC; many friends; and 1 disconsolate cat. She loved you all very much. She was predeceased by her husband Jimmy in 1986; her parents; her in-laws: James Sr. and Marian Gibbs Frye; sister, Mary Louise Sherman Wasilewski; brother-in-Stanley; nephew Stan Jr; numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and friends. In leu of flowers, Berneice would love for everyone to make donations to the Peck Memorial Library or the Marathon area Historical Society. Peck Memorial Library 24 Main Street, Marathon, NY 13803 attn Ms Mary Frank Marathon Area Historical Society PO Box 444 Marathon, NY 23803-0444 attn Presid. Connie White Berneice’s tribute was lovingly written by her family.

Berniece Helen Frye

February 19, 1931 - March 14, 2022