Obituary of Erma R. Werth

Werth, Erma R. (Steedman) Churchville: Erma completed her amazing earthly journey on Monday, September 12, 2016 at the age of 101. All but the last 2 years she spent in her home in Churchville, next door to the house in which she was born. She was the second oldest child of David & Olive Steedman and is predeceased by her sisters, Geraldine & Lucille, brother, David; husband, Arthur T. Werth. She is survived by her sons, Donald (Terry) & Richard; grandchildren, Amanda (Will) Dunsmore, Adam (Laura) and Kelly (Erich) Alejandro; great grandchildren, Trevor Radomski, Isobel & Oliver Werth and Owen Alejandro and by many nieces, nephews, cousins, special friends & neighbors. Erma was an energetic and athletic young woman from the time she was a star basketball player in Churchville High School, her years of ice skating on Black Creek and as she developed her skill with a rifle. She attempted to revive her roller skating skills in her garage in her 70’s, bowled in a league and took up golf in her 80’s. Her first job was at the E.E. Fairchild Toy Factory in Churchville making Fanny Farmer Candy boxes and checkerboards. During WWII, she worked at Delco Products as part of the war effort. On her 100th birthday, she was inducted into the Rosie the Riveter Society, recognizing her wartime contributions. Delco Products is where she met Art Werth. They married and eventually purchased the old Parnell house at 41 E. Buffalo Street where she lived for 65 years. She was a fulltime, stay-at-home Mom keeping a house and raising two sons. Her main hobby was gardening and her home received several awards for its colorful and lush flower beds and festive seasonal decorations. She loved animals from her beloved miniature Boston Bulldog, Princess to all the neighborhood birds and many generations of “Petey” the squirrel, who came daily to her back door for peanut butter crackers she had prepared. She was a world-class shopper and knew many of the sales people by name in Sibley’s, the National and Forman’s downtown. She was a regular at Critic’s restaurant in Long Ridge Mall and earned herself a favorite window seat. Erma endeared herself to people she knows only by their first name with her sense of humor, quick smile and the twinkle in her eye. She traveled to her sister’s home in Arizona, made many day trips and tours with the Churchville Senior Citizen’s group and traveled to England to attend a favorite cousin’s wedding. She will be remembered as generous, caring and vigilant. At 96, she moved to The Landing in Brockport and finally gave up driving her infamous Cadillac, ERW-1. As the infirmities of age intruded on her energy and lifestyle, she found it difficult to accept the changes and limitations of giving up her home and independence. To honor her memory, what would make Erma most pleased would be for friends and family to perform an act of kindness to a stranger, a family member and a pet, squirrel or bird and to tell your family members that you love them. Her family will receive friends Sunday September 18th from 11am to 1pm at the Walker Brothers Funeral Home, (21 S. Main Street, Churchville) where her funeral service will follow at 1pm. Interment at Creekside Cemetery. Donations could be made in Erma’s name to the Aurora House (2495 S Union St, Spencerport, NY 14559).