Margaret M. Berian

Margaret M. (Hebert) Berian, 90, of Ithaca, NY, formerly of Hartford, died Monday, (September 15, 2003) in Ithaca. Born in Quincy, MA, September 22, 1912, she attended school and worked as a librarian in Quincy; before attending the Quincy City Hospital School of Nursing and later, the Columbia University School of Physical Therapy. She worked as a certified physical therapist and Registered Nurse in the treatment of polio victims, and later worked as a visiting nurse in Quincy, MA. She also served as an instructor at both Columbia and at the Children's Medical Center in Boston, before moving to Hartford, with her husband and son. During her 40 years in Hartford, she was active in PTA, Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts and Home & School Associations. After serving as a substitute nurse in Hartford hospitals, she became a school nurse, serving both at St. Peter's School and at South Catholic High School. She continued this work until her retirement in 1982. She also served terms as PTA President and President of the Hartford School Nurses Association. Throughout her life, she enjoyed sharing music with others, and frequently played piano or organ for church and social events and sang with several Senior choruses, including Barry Square, The South West and Parkville Senior Citizens groups. She was active in the development of the Intensive Education Academy, in West Hartford, and served on the Board of Directors of the Academy. She was a devoted and active communicant and part-time organist at Immaculate Conception Church and St. Luke's Church in Hartford. In 1995, Margaret moved to Ithaca, to live with her daughter, Claire, and family. She joined the Immaculate Conception parish and soon became involved playing organ at the church, and in providing piano accompaniment for numerous senior citizen events in the area. Her smiling blue eyes, good humor, and devotion to serving the needs of others will be remembered as her physical presence among us is missed. She is survived by a son, Steven F. C. Berian, and his wife, Valerie of Springfield, MA; daughter, Elizabeth M. Berian of Ithaca, and daughter, Claire A. Berian and her husband, Harold Hodes of Ithaca; and grandchildren, Carly E. Hodes of Ithaca, and William-John "BJ" Berian of Springfield. The funeral will be Monday, September 22, 10:15 a.m. from the Dillon-Baxter Funeral Home, 1276 Berlin Tpke., Wethersfield, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial 11 a.m. in St. Luke's Church, 66 Bolton St., Hartford. Burial will follow in Cedar Hill Cemetery, Hartford. Friends may call at the funeral home Sunday, September 21, 2-6 p.m.and Monday 9:15-10:15 a.m. Contributions in her memory may be made to: The Intensive Education Academy, 840 North Main St., West Hartford, CT 06111.