1922
Shirley
2016
Shirley Bergmann
March 23, 1922 — October 22, 2016
Shirley Bergmann, neé Baumbusch, died peacefully at Freedom Village Brandywine in Coatesville, Pennsylvania on October 22, 2016 at the age of 94.
She is survived by her daughter, Katherine Bergmann and son-in-law Robert MacMillan of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. She was preceded in death by her husband Eric and son Michael.
Shirley was born on March 23, 1922 in Poughkeepsie, New York to Ray and Consuelo Baumbusch. She loved telling stories of Poughkeepsie in the 1920's and 30's, especially those inspired by her grandfather Michael Baumbusch, a longtime deputy sheriff in Poughkeepsie and security officer for the "peanut gallery" at the Bardavon Theater in Poughkeepsie. She graduated from the Oakwood Friends School, and attended college at Mount Holyoke University, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa with her bachelor's degree in Chemistry in 1943.
After college, she went to work for Texaco in Fishkill, New York, as one of the first group of female chemists ever hired at that firm. Prior to World War Two, even the secretaries at Texaco had been men. While at Texaco, she met the man who became her husband, Eric A. Bergmann, a chemist and church musician. Settling in Fishkill with Eric, she left Texaco to raise her children, Michael and Kate, and do volunteer work. She spent many years on the board of the Children's Home in Poughkeepsie, including several terms as Treasurer and later, Chairman of the board.
Shirley had an inquisitive intellect, and raised her children to share her love of learning. An avid bridge player, she was one of the founders of the 28 Club in the Beacon/Fishkill area, and enjoyed playing until the very end of her life. Her other passion was needlepoint, and over her lifetime she completed many major projects. An active and dedicated member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Fishkill for over sixty-five years, she embroidered the kneelers for the altar rail, and almost every other flat surface in the sanctuary. A lover of history, she also researched and wrote the parish history, now in its second edition. Over the years, she also served the church on the altar guild, as parish treasurer, and as a vestry member.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Children's Home of Poughkeepsie at: https://chpoughkeepsie.ejoinme.org/MyPages/DonationPage/tabid/80650/Default.aspx
Condolences and memories can be sent to: Katherine Bergmann, 12 McIlvain Drive, Downingtown, PA 19335.
The family would like to thank the caregivers and other staff of Freedom Village, Brandywine and Holisticare Hospice for their caring and dedication to their community, and for their care and support of Shirley over both her years there and her final days.
She is survived by her daughter, Katherine Bergmann and son-in-law Robert MacMillan of Downingtown, Pennsylvania. She was preceded in death by her husband Eric and son Michael.
Shirley was born on March 23, 1922 in Poughkeepsie, New York to Ray and Consuelo Baumbusch. She loved telling stories of Poughkeepsie in the 1920's and 30's, especially those inspired by her grandfather Michael Baumbusch, a longtime deputy sheriff in Poughkeepsie and security officer for the "peanut gallery" at the Bardavon Theater in Poughkeepsie. She graduated from the Oakwood Friends School, and attended college at Mount Holyoke University, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa with her bachelor's degree in Chemistry in 1943.
After college, she went to work for Texaco in Fishkill, New York, as one of the first group of female chemists ever hired at that firm. Prior to World War Two, even the secretaries at Texaco had been men. While at Texaco, she met the man who became her husband, Eric A. Bergmann, a chemist and church musician. Settling in Fishkill with Eric, she left Texaco to raise her children, Michael and Kate, and do volunteer work. She spent many years on the board of the Children's Home in Poughkeepsie, including several terms as Treasurer and later, Chairman of the board.
Shirley had an inquisitive intellect, and raised her children to share her love of learning. An avid bridge player, she was one of the founders of the 28 Club in the Beacon/Fishkill area, and enjoyed playing until the very end of her life. Her other passion was needlepoint, and over her lifetime she completed many major projects. An active and dedicated member of Trinity Episcopal Church in Fishkill for over sixty-five years, she embroidered the kneelers for the altar rail, and almost every other flat surface in the sanctuary. A lover of history, she also researched and wrote the parish history, now in its second edition. Over the years, she also served the church on the altar guild, as parish treasurer, and as a vestry member.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be sent to the Children's Home of Poughkeepsie at: https://chpoughkeepsie.ejoinme.org/MyPages/DonationPage/tabid/80650/Default.aspx
Condolences and memories can be sent to: Katherine Bergmann, 12 McIlvain Drive, Downingtown, PA 19335.
The family would like to thank the caregivers and other staff of Freedom Village, Brandywine and Holisticare Hospice for their caring and dedication to their community, and for their care and support of Shirley over both her years there and her final days.
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Shirley Bergmann, please visit our flower store.
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