Margaret E. Herman

Margaret E. Herman of Endwell died on March 13, 2013 at the age of 93 after a short illness. She was predeceased by her parents, Philip and Margaret Persley; her husband of 58 years, Peter Herman; her sister Genevieve Persley of Vestal; and her brother Philip (Patricia) Persley of Vestal. She is survived by her sister Hazel (Richard) Bailey of Lady Lake, Florida; daughter Jean Henssler of Vestal; son Peter W. (Deborah) Herman of Apalachin; grandchildren Nathaniel (Lyndsay) Herman, Elizabeth and Peter D. Herman; great-grandson Oliver Nathaniel Herman; and several nieces, nephews and cousins. At the age of 16 she graduated from Binghamton Central HS and went on to graduate with honors from Potsdam Normal School in 1938. After a one year teaching position in Canajoharie, N.Y. she accepted a job teaching all grades in a one-room schoolhouse in Conklin Forks. She met her future husband while keeping score for the Crowley Milk Cooperative’s baseball team, for which her father was manager. During WWII she was employed by IBM. Having been blessed with a beautiful soprano voice, she was a member of the IBM Chorus in the ’50s and for decades sang in numerous local church choirs. She passed her love of music on to both of her children. In her later years Margaret became interested in politics and sports, being an avid fan of the Yankees and the University of Michigan’s teams. She was generous of spirit, cheerful, and loved by all who knew her; her family was everything to her. Arrangements are being made by Allen Memorial Home in Endicott, and services will be held at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Margaret’s memory to the music ministries of either Endwell United Methodist Church, Grace Lutheran Church in Vestal, or the Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Binghamton. The family would like to thank Margaret’s friends and the staff at the Hearth at Castle Gardens, as well as her caregivers at Ross 1 Lourdes Hospital.