Bertha Ligenza

Bertha (nee Bronislawa) Ligenza passed away at the age of 96 on July 31, 2018  at the home of her daughter and son in law, Cynthia Ligenza and Tony Moore in Cold Spring, NY.  She was born July 19, 1922 in Enfield, CT to Aniela and Franziszek(Nelly and Frank) Ludwin and lived there for 94 of her years  but came to Cold Spring in 2016 where she made some important friendships.

Bertha was predeceased by her husband Walter Ligenza and siblings Jennie and Ted.  She has a living sister Helena and several nieces, nephew, nephews in law and great nieces and nephews.  She was given many years of love and support by many of these—Jennifer and Jeff Brooks, Leah Hurst, Gina and Zachary Brooks—as well as friends and neighbors among whom are the Mason family, the Pallotta family and all those who lived near her on Parker St. in Enfield, CT.

In her younger years Bertha excelled in sewing and sketching, upholstering, playing and arranging music and dancing. She played mandolin, mandola and violin and was part of a local orchestra as well as playing duets and trios with her sisters and brother.  She was an avid reader.  Cynthia her daughter is grateful for her exposure to chamber music as well as her reading aloud “A History of the World,” “The Merchant of Venice” and many other works.  “The quality of mercy is not strained.  It falls like the gentle rain from heaven.”  Her first employment was in the Bigelow Sanford carpet factory. She excelled in typing and stenography; her employment was of this type until she retired in her early 70’s.  Bertha loved planting trees and could expertly fly a kite and sew costumes. She skillfully cared for many people in her family who were ill and elderly, including her mother and father, husband, sister and sister in law.  She was extremely physically fit, did Tai Chi, floor and bed exercises—the latter until the last month of her life.

Bertha came to Cold Spring in 2016 when she was found to have a lymphoma.  She is grateful for her care at NY Presbyterian Hudson Valley Hospital, the Infusion Center, and Physical Therapy at Cold Spring.  She touched the lives and appreciated the care of persons in the lab, radiology and office staff there.  Her lymphoma was in remission for a year and she spent that time back in Enfield where she also touched the lives of the Cardiac Rehab staff at Johnson Memorial Hospital.

While in Cold Spring she enjoyed the flowers surrounding her apartment,  live  music at home,  at the Ritz Lobby and at the Presbyterian Church, a ballet at Bard Summerscape and theater at the Depot Theatre.  She came to sit at the neighborhood lake on Trout Brook Rd.  She made wonderful friends when at home in Cold Spring. They visited, brought her books and lively conversation and love.  The cats were very helpful.  She had compassionate care from the staff of Hospice of Westchester and Putnam and a number of gentle and caring aides.

A memorial service will be held on  Saturday August 11, 2018 at  1 pm at the Clinton Funeral Home , 21 Parrott Street, Cold Spring. A Memorial mass will be held  on  Saturday August 18, 2018 at 11am from St. Adalbert’s Church 90 Alden Ave
Enfield, CT 06082.

In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the Enfield, CT Public Library,  The Depot Theatre/Philipstown Rec Youth Theatre programs , The Haldane School High School Foundation or the Children International Music for Development.

For Bertha’s online guestbook please visit www.clintonfh.com