BELFAST - Berniece (Kottwitz) Foley, a lifelong resident of
Belfast, NY, passed away February 5, 2020 at Wellsville Manor at the age of
89. She and Francis W. Foley married in
1949 and a year later they started their family which grew to six
children. Berniece, Frank and family
moved to their dream home on South Main Street where the acres of pine trees
they planted are still standing. They
instilled a sense of responsibility and hard work in their children by having
them care for farm animals and pets and doing the chores that came with
them. Berniece was always busy cooking,
cleaning, and canning, raising their family, planting flower beds and tending
to their beautiful lawn; but she found time to take the kids down to the river
bordering their property to swim and fish – she always caught the biggest
fish. She and her husband traveled often
during his retirement, her favorite places to visit were Letchworth State Park
and Cape Cod. She attended Crafty Belles with her dear lady friends and the
United Methodist Church with her lifelong friend, Monica Arnold.
As her children grew and left home she continued to keep
busy with a variety of jobs around the area including waitressing at The Irish
Kitchen; clerking at Magnano’s Pharmacy, the U.S. Postal Service, 1st Trust
Union Bank in Belfast; Cafeteria Manager at Belfast Central School, serving as
the Belfast Town Clerk, an election inspector, a School Board member and did
clerical work at The Wellsville Country Club.
Berniece is survived by her children, Ronald Foley and wife
Suzanne of Wellsville, NY; Thomas Foley of Aurora, CO; Joseph Foley of Belfast, NY; Alice Bergstrom and husband Kevin of Grand
Junction, CO; Timothy Foley and wife
Laura of Marion, NY; and Ann Tobias and husband, John of Hornell, NY. Her grandchildren, Becky, Shane, Carisa,
Cory, Keara, Jaclin, Paige, Leah and Mitchell.
Great-grandchildren, Grace, Jackson, Jeremy, Brenna, Liam, Emma and
Murphy. Sister-in-law Joan Kottwitz and
several nieces and nephews.
She was proceeded in death by her parents, Irvin and Mary
Jane Kottwitz, her husband Francis Foley, sister Lois Gee, brothers Walter and
Herman Daniel Kottwitz.
There will be private burial at Holy Cross Cemetery in
Belfast. Memorial Service and visitation
will be held at a later date under the direction of JW Embser Sons Funeral Home
of Belmont, NY.
In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to donate to the Belfast
Volunteer Fire Department. Online
condolences may be made at www.embserfuneralhome.com.
