Frances Elaine Mackerer Berlt of East Chatham died on June 7 at her home

On  October 26, 1930,  John Frederick Mackerer and Elnah Louise Krieg Mackerer welcomed their new born daughter, Frances Elaine.

Although born in Peekskill, NY, Frances Elaine spent her childhood in Yorktown Heights. She moved with her family to East Chatham, NY in June 1945 and graduated from Chatham Central High School in 1948.

Frances Elaine received a medical secretarial certificate at Interboro Institute in New York City. She briefly worked in the registrar's office of Albany Medical College before marrying William Harry Berlt on 7 August, 1949, with whom she shared 43 years.

Frances Elaine lived on Kelly Road in East Chatham before moving to Bradley's Crossing Road in April 1957.

Over the years Frances Elaine held various jobs in small businesses in Chatham, NY. She was a 4-H leader and member of the East Chatham Methodist Church where she volunteered for years as treasurer. France Elaine loved gardening and could often be found tending her flowers, vegetables and shrubs.

Frances Elaine who passed after a valiant twenty-year battle with colon cancer, was predeceased by her parents, husband William, and her brother Richard Frederick Mackerer.

She is survived by her daughters, Deborah A. Berlt-Schraven (Val Kosmider) of Johnson City, Tennessee and Diane B Berlt-Williams (Kerry Williams) of East Chatham, as well as one grandson, Mark R. Edwards (Ronnye) of Rosamond, California, three great-grand sons, several nieces, nephews and cousins.

A funeral service will be held Friday June 17 at the East Chatham Methodist Church at 12:00pm Calling hour will take place from 11:00 to 12 at the church prior to the funeral. Interment will be at the Canaan Cemetery on County Rte. 5, Canaan, NY.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to either the East Chatham Methodist Church, 9 Bemiss Lane, East Chatham, NY 12060 or the Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Road, Albany, NY 12205-3809. For on-line condolences, visit wenkfuneralhome.com