Bertha Cushing

Bertha “Bea” Cushing, 91, formerly of Grace Place and Mitchell Ave. in Punxsutawney, passed away on Monday, December 11, 2017, at Christ the King Manor in DuBois.

She was born on May 26, 1926, in Ford City, the daughter of the late Henry J. and Sadie (Stepek) Folta.  She was the last surviving member of her immediate family.

Mrs. Cushing was a member of Saints Cosmas and Damian Catholic Church. In the early years, Bertha helped in transporting the Sisters of Mercy and was a former member of the choir.

She was the former wife of Harry P. Cushing, who preceded her in death.

Bertha previously worked as a meat cutter at A&P Market in Kittanning and Ford City.  After moving to Punxsutawney in 1960, she was a long-time employee at the Montgomery Ward’s Department Store, Rola-Jensen Speaker factory, and worked as a greeter for PA Career Link for several years.

She was a former member of “Grandmother’s Club", and served as secretary.  She also helped with “Welcome Wagon” delivering gift packages to people who moved into the community. Bertha was a life-long member of the Slovene National Benefit Society.

Her passions were animals, flower gardening and going to camp in Tionesta, Forest County with her two boys, for endless hours of mowing and tree trimming!  She also enjoyed pedaling her wheelchair around Punxsy, while a resident of Grace Place.

 Survived by her two sons, Harry Cushing and wife Julie of Everett, WA, and Phillip G. Cushing and wife Ren’ee of Punxsutawney; three grandchildren, Trevar Cushing of Los Angeles, CA, Thera Cushing of Royal Palm Beach, FL, and Lori Lynn Cushing with one great grandchild.

Preceded in death by her parents, husband Harry, brothers, Hank and Gerald Folta of Ford City and sister Helen Sivec, of Aliquippa.

Friends will be received from 3-7 p.m. Monday, December 18, 2017, at Shumaker Funeral Home, Inc., Punxsutawney.

A funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday December 19, 2017, at Saints Cosmas and Damian Catholic Church, with a reception Lunch for the service attendees. 

Interment will be on Wednesday, December 20, 2017, at St. Francis Polish Cemetery in Ford City, Armstrong County.

Memorial donations may be made in Bertha's memory to the SS.C.D. Rosary Alter Society.

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