Berniece (Kottwitz) Foley

Belfast, NY - 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.