Bertha Z. Brownell

Boonville- Bertha Z. Brownell, 89, a longtime resident of East Road, widow of Arthur E., passed away on Wednesday, December 2, 2015, at Sunset Nursing & Rehabilitation Center, Boonville, where she had resided since March, 2014. She was born in Oneida, on October 3, 1926, a daughter of Gottfried and Louise Grunenwald Zeller. Bertha grew up in the hamlet of Hillside in the Town of Western, where she attended Hillside Rural School, completing her education at Boonville Central School, where she graduated with the Class of 1944. After that she was employed for a textile company in Utica. On June 12, 1947, Bertha was united in marriage with Arthur E. Brownell, at Trinity Church, Rome. Later the couple moved to Boonville, where they settled on East Road. For many years Mrs. Brownell was employed as a sales clerk for Blankman's Five and Ten Cent Store in Boonville; later she was employed in the cafeteria at Adirondack Central School, Boonville. Mr. Brownell, a long time bus driver and then superintendent of transportation at Adirondack Central School District, died on December 8, 1986. Mrs. Brownell was a member of First Presbyterian Church, Boonville. She was an avid reader; Bertha was very generous and loving, and greatly cherished time she spent with her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She also enjoyed canning, cooking and baking. She is survived by one son and daughter in law, Arthur E. (Katrina) Brownell, Boonville; one daughter, Linda L. Gallo, West Leyden; seven cherished grandchildren whom she adored; Darlene (Aaron) Defazio, Barbara (John) Vanderland, Melinda (Andrew) Maciejko, Nicolas (Patricia) Gallo, Richard (Jennifer) Gallo, and twins, Angela (Joseph) Zacherl, Joanna (Paul) Keck, thirteen great grandchildren, Matthew and Mitchell Defazio, Haley Vanderland, Aiden, Laurel, Brady and Parker Maciejko, Trevor and Alexis Gallo, Kaitlyn and Raymond Gallo, Julia and Silas Zacherl; two sisters, Lydia Marcy, Boonville and Hilda LoRusso, Rome. She was predeceased by her son in law, Raymond Gallo, in 1989, and by sisters, Frieda Glur, Rosa Waliszewski, Martha Platt, and Clara Platt and by a brother, Alfred Zeller. Relatives and friends are invited to attend graveside services on Saturday, July 23, at 11:00 am at Boonville Cemetery, where Rev. George Whitton, Presbyterian minister will officiate. Memorial contributions may be made to First Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 213, or to Erwin Library, 104 Schuyler St. or to Boonville Fire Co. Ambulance Fund P.O. Box 164, all Boonville, NY 13309. Her arrangements are in care of Trainor Funeral Home, Inc. Boonville.