Obituary of Bernice R. Smaldon Newton

With sadness we announce the passing of our loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and friend. Bernice R. Smaldon Newton, 82, of Rome, on Wednesday, December 30, 2020, due to complications of COVID-19. She was born in Rome, NY, on February 24, 1938 daughter of the late Arthur and Dora Compo Smaldon. On November 17, 1956 Bernice married her longtime friend and love Phillip "Tim" Newton in St. Mary's Church. Bernice retired from Rome DDSO where she was employed for over 25 years. After retiring, she traveled the United States with her loving husband, Phil and close companion, Miley. Bernice had a passion for life and loved to go camping with their close friends, Fred and Sharon Balm. Her grandson Paul describes his grandmother "This woman had an iron fist, steel toed boots, a heart of gold and the warmest hugs." Her granddaughter Samantha, "I remember the times visiting NY where she would take me to Grandma Dora's house for pasta and meatballs. This is where all of our family met for dinner on Sundays." Her granddaughter Hayden's fondest memory is making cookies with grandma and spilling the batter all over each other, laughing and eating it. Alyssa said "Grandma is someone I will look up to for the rest of my life. She wasn't just another mother to me, she is my best friend." Bernice is survived by her husband, Phil, of 64 years, a son, John (Darla) Newton, Rome, 4 daughters and spouses; Roxanne (James) Dean, Marcy, Christine (Richard) Kershner, TX, Jennifer (Mark) Hawkins, Rome, Kassandra Newton, Rome, 7 grandchildren and their spouses; John Jr. (Morgan) Newton, Cathleen Newton, Wade(Crystal) Alam, Samantha (Joey) Fernandez, Paul (Krystal) Marinuzzi, Anthony Aiello, Alyssa and Hayden Hawkins, 9 great-grandchildren. Also surviving are a sister, Ruth Ciotti Fraccola, CA, as well as many, many nieces and nephews. Bernice is predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Dora Smaldon, infant sister, Gloria, a sister, Mary Rose Francesone, brothers; Edward Smaldon, John Smaldon and Arthur Smaldon, Jr. The family would like to express a thank you to the many hard working nurses and doctors at Oneida Hospital and Upstate University Hospital who took care of our mother so diligently to the end. A Mass Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, January 9, 2021 at 11:00 a.m., at St. Peter's Church, Rome. Anyone wishing to attend is required to wear a mask and adhere to social distancing guidelines. There are no calling hours. Private burial will be in St. John the Baptist Cemetery. Memorial contributions may be made in Bernice's name to: Humane Society of Rome, Inc., P.O. Box 4572, Rome, NY 13442-4572. Arrangements are by Nicholas J. Bush Funeral Home, Inc., 7751 Merrick Rd. To offer online condolences, please visit www.njbushfuneralhome.com