Bernice Folts Weiss

Bernice Folts Weiss
"A luminous light remains where a beautiful soul has passed" - Antoine Boveua
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of Bernice Folts Weiss, age 92, who died peacefully at home on her farm in the Town of Columbia, surrounded by her loved ones, on December 27, 2023. At the time of her passing there were four living generations on her farm. Bernice cherished her close-knit family above all else in the world.
Bernice was born in 1931 in Utica, NY, the daughter of Wesley Charles Folts and Elsie Lee Folts. She began her education in a four-room schoolhouse in Frankfort, NY and graduated with honors from T. R. Proctor High School, Utica in 1949. She then began her career as a professional seamstress at the Elinor Clinton Dress Shop on Genesee Street, Utica. Her love of sewing and design continued as a life-long passion, including making many Halloween costumes for her children. She taught first communion classes at St. Theresa's Church in Frankfort Center, NY for many years.
In 1954 she married the love of her life, Peter F. Weiss Jr, a decorated Korea War veteran, at St. Theresa's Church. Bernice and Peter moved to their dairy farm in 1956, where they shared a loving union of 56 years of marriage until Peter's passing in 2011. Farming is a hard life, but Bernice and Peter gave their children a rich life that money cannot buy. In addition to farm chores, Bernice enjoyed growing a large garden. Every fall she filled the cellar with vegetables and preserved goods. Loved ones hoped for a jar of her apple cider jelly and maple sugar candy at Christmas.
Bernice had a heart of gold. She and her husband taught their children, by their example, to always help others and never expect anything in return. She also instilled in her children and grandchildren her love of reading. Bernie found joy in every day. She loved cooking for her family and friends. Her door was always open; the coffee pot was on the stove and her deliciousbaked goods were on the table. She was well known for her breakfasts. Everyone was welcome.
In addition to being a life-long NY Yankees fan, she was a proud descendent of the Folts family and contributed many of her recipes to the Folts Auxiliary Cookbook. Her maple cheesecake, made from Weiss Farms Maple Syrup, won a blue ribbon (first prize) at the New York State Fair! Bernice wrote a book "Memories" with genealogy, stories, and family photos for her children and grandchildren. She believed it was important for them to know the history of their family. In addition to sewing, Bernie enjoyed needlepoint. Her counted cross-stitch wedding samplers, many of them designed by her, can be seen in the homes of all her loved ones. She crocheted prayer shawls for the infirm, knitted preemie caps and blankets for neonatal ICUs, and sewed fabric dolls that were donated to children in war-torn countries. But her legacy will always be her hundreds of wool socks she knitted for family and friends; many mailed around the world.
Bernice is survived by her five children: George Weiss and his companion, Janet, John Weiss and his fiancée, Sonja Cursh, David and Lori Weiss, Teresa and Dan Sullivan, and Priscilla and David Edick.
Her grandchildren: Elyse and Matt Kane, Robert (BJ) and Andrea Weiss, Michael and Meaghan Weiss, Sara and Joshua Looman.
Her great-grandchildren: Hailey and Zachary Looman, Katelyn and Abby Kane, Isabelle, Adam, and Vienna Joy Weiss.
Her brother-in-law Richard Weiss, her God son, Stephen Collins, many cousins, nieces and nephews, her best friend, Joan Skinner, and her beloved cats Rose and Buffy.
Bernice was predeceased by her husband, Peter, her beloved daughter-in-law, Mary Kohler Weiss, sister Cora Folts Smith and her husband, Edwin Smith, in-laws Shirley and Frank Guido, Jessie and Carl Neale, and Anne Mayne Weiss. She held close to her heart, her grandson, Charles Weiss, who died suddenly at age 32 of an undiagnosed congenital heart condition.
In her last days she told us "The world would be a better place if everyone watched Hallmark movies." Words cannot express our grief. Think of her when you hear her favorite song "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."
In keeping with Bernice's wishes, there will be no public calling hours. Expressions of sympathy may be made in her memory with donations to the Cedarville Fire Department or the National Down Syndrome Society (ndss.org).
Arrangements are with J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street, Richfield Spring, NY.