Cornelia Wiss Degerberg

1924 - 2016

Cornelia Wiss Degerberg, a long-time resident of Gladwyne, PA, died peacefully in Amsterdam, NY on March the 14th of natural causes. Born in 1924 in Orange, NJ, to Jerome and Grace (Valentine) Wiss, Connie was the third of five daughters. She attended Miss Beard’s School, Smith College, and continued her lifelong study of art through workshops and classes including studying at the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Main Line Art Center. Connie painted throughout her life, specializing in watercolors and oils. She also loved flowers and was a member of the Mill Creek Valley Garden Club. For many years she had an extensive rose garden. No event passed without Connie and her camera, she could be counted on to document every moment, big or small. She loved good food, was a season ticket holder of the Philadelphia Opera, and volunteered for many years with Main Line Meals on Wheels. She is survived by her children Phillip Lyford (Mary), Rebecca Lyford (John Newman), Roger Lyford, George Degerberg (Virginia), Katherine Degerberg (John Parker) and Mary Leyden (James); her stepson Gunnar Degerberg (Ron Browning); her grandchildren Katherine Newman (Kevin Edwards), Alexander Newman, Margaret Lyford, Richard Fields (Claire), James Leyden, Scott Leyden, and Amelia Leyden; her step grandson Tony Schiele; her great-grandchildren Elliot Edwards and Alexandra Edwards; and her sisters Nancy Drury and Jeremy Smith. She is pre-deceased by her husband of 39 years, Robert Degerberg, her son Jerome Lyford, her stepson Kristopher Degerberg, and her sisters Jean Wiss and Grace Gomez. A celebration of Connie’s life will be held on Saturday, March 19th at 3 p.m. at the Merion Cricket Club in Haverford, PA. In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to Main Line Meals on Wheels, Hospice or a charity of your choice.