Ball, Alberta

Alberta Ball Wright

Birth

M. Alberta Ball (Mildred Alberta) was born to Clyde L. Ball and Alta Mae Sholtes Ball on January 6, 1913 in the village of Berne, Albany, NY. In 1920, with her younger sister, Gertrude Marion Ball, the family moved over to the Ball farm on Switzkill Road.

Education

In June 1929 at the age of 16 Alberta graduated from Schoharie High School. She graduated from New York State Teachers College in 1933.

Occupation

Alberta was a math teacher. She taught 2 years at Averill Park Central, 15 years at Berne-Knox-Westerlo Central and then 15 years at Schoharie Central. She taught a Sunday School Class at St. Paul's Lutheran Church where she also served as treasurer for several years. She had a major part in founding the Berne Public Library, and had a passion for history. She was a founder of the Berne Historical Society, and a leader in the Uhia Chapter, Order of the Eastern Star. She was the Berne correspondent for The Altamont Enterprise for 35 years.

Marriage & Children

In 22 Aug. 1934 she married Raymond H. Wright, of whom she was married to for 53 years. They purchased and operated the Ball farm for several years. They had three daughters:

• Ruth Elaine Wright (1 May 1937 - 19 Aug. 1985)
• Janet Marlene Wright (7 Feb. 1939 - 1 Mar 2009)
• Jean Marilyn Wright

Death

At home, March 13, 2010, Berne, NY. She was buried on May 8, 2010 at Woodlawn Cemetery, Berne, Albany County, NY.

Obituary

Berne - Alberta B. Wright, 97, passed away on Saturday, March 13, 2010 surrounded by her loving family. She was born to the late Clyde Ball and Alta Sholtes Ball on January 6, 1913. In June 1929 at the age of 16 Alberta graduated from Schoharie High School. She graduated from New York State Teachers College in 1933. In 1934 she married Raymond H. Wright, of whom she was married to for 53 years. She was an active member of St. Paul's Lutheran Church where she taught Sunday School and was treasurer for many years. While teaching and going to school, Alberta received a math-teaching degree in 1937. She had a passion for teaching math and she taught at Averill Park Central for 2 years, Berne-Knox Central for 15 years and Schoharie Central for 15 years. Alberta was a member of the National Education Association, Parent Teachers Association, a life member of Delta Kappa Gamma Fraternity, Eastern Star and the Hilltowns Senior Citizens. She had a major part in the Berne Library where she helped start the Berne Historical Society. She is survived by her daughter Jean Wright of Berne, Grandchildren: Stacey Wright, Susan (Kevin) Pyne of IL, David (Carolyn) DeWitt and Jonathan (Angie) DeWitt of OH; Eight great-grandchildren Ben, Katie, and Jon Pyne, Alyssa, Laura, Josh, Rachel and Nick De Witt. She is also survived by a great nephew David (Holly) Clark of Berne as well as many nieces and nephews. Alberta is predeceased by her husband Raymond, daughters Ruth Elaine DeWitt, Janet W. Salzer, her grandson Timothy Salzer, a sister and brother-in-law Gertrude and Rev. Franklin Deitz. A funeral service will be held on Saturday, March 20, 2010 at 1:30 PM at St. Paul's Lutheran Church, Berne. Friends may call prior from 10 AM to 1 PM. A spring burial will be in Woodlawn Cemetery. The Order of the Eastern Star will conduct a service at 1PM. In lieu of flowers donations may be made In Alberta's memory to St. Paul's Lutheran Church, 1728 Helderberg Trail Berne, NY 12023.

Additional Media

Lawrence DeWitt, musician, former professor at Miami: Newspaper Obituary and Death Notice

Cincinnati Post, The (OH) - Friday, February 16, 1996 Deceased Name: Lawrence DeWitt, musician, former professor at Miami 61, widely known organ soloist and former chair of the music department at Miami University, died Wednesday at Good Samaritan Hospital in Cincinnati. DeWitt, a native of Muskegon Heights, Mich., first taught at Lowell Public School, Ann Arbor, Mich., and at Hiram College, Ohio, and Morningside College, Sioux City, Iowa. He came to Miami in 1978 and served as music department chair until 1984. He continued to teach until last year. He was a well-known organ soloist and had performed at Carnegie Hall in New York, the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. and in other places in North America, Europe and Great Britain. He was a member of the Ohio Music Association, the Music Educators Conference, the American Guild of Organists, Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia and the National Association of Schools of Music. He was a graduate of Hope College, Holland, Mich., and earned a master's degree from the University of Michigan and a doctorate from Indiana University. He leaves two sons, David DeWitt, of Oxford, and Jonathan DeWitt, of Fairfield; a daughter, Susan Pyne, of Rochester Hills, Mich.; two brothers, Dennis DeWitt, of Holland, and Thomas DeWitt, of Leesburg, Fla, and six grandchildren. A Memorial service will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at Faith Lutheran Church, 420 S. Campus Ave., Oxford. Contributions may be made to the Dr. Lawrence DeWitt Memorial Fund, Murstein Alumni Center, Miami University, Oxford. The Smith and Ogle Funeral Home, Oxford, is in charge of arrangements. Edition: Metro Page: 18A Copyright (c) 1996 The Cincinnati Post Wright, Alberta (Ball) - Memories

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  Alberta Ball Wright graduation picture from Schoharie highschool
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  Alberta Ball Wright
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  Raymond, Alberta, Ruth Elaine and the twins Jean and Janet Wright, photo courtesy of Allan Deitz

Sources

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