Obituary of Connie Bertrand

Constance M. “Connie” Bertrand, 86, of Rome, passed away on Tuesday, March 14, 2023, at Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare in New Hartford.

She was born on August 1, 1936, in Rome, the daughter of James and Stella (Podosek) Anderson.  She was a 1954 graduate of Rome Free Academy.

On November 16, 1957, Connie was united in marriage to Clifford Bertrand, Jr. in Transfiguration Church.  Cliff passed away on June 1, 1985.

Connie was a secretary for several area doctor’s offices, retiring in 1996 from Dr. Apparao Poonati’s office.  Connie also cared for many children in the area as a beloved babysitter.  She will greatly miss the time she spent with each of those families as they became a dear part of her family.

Connie was a member of St. Joseph’s Church in Lee Center.  From her strong faith and dedicated volunteerism to her church, she received the Immaculata Award along with her son, Daniel, in 2018.

Surviving are her two sons, Daniel Bertrand, of Rome, and Andre (Elizabeth) Bertrand; two granddaughters, Lauren (Joseph) DiMaggio, and Kimberly Donovan; two great-grandsons, JD and Leo DiMaggio; a sister, Carol (Gene) Klepadlo, of Rome; a sister-in-law, Barbara Bertrand, of Yorkville; a brother-in-law, Edward (Terry) Bertrand, of Sebring, FL; and several nieces and nephews including a special niece, Gina Klepadlo.  Connie was predeceased by her husband; her parents, James and Stella; her son, Clifford Bertrand; her step-father, Samuel Bosco; two sisters, Kathryn (Alvin) Brockway, and Dorothy (Sooky) DelVecchio; two brothers-in-law, David Bertrand, and Ronald (Joanne) Bertrand; and a great-nephew, Alvin Brockway.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 1:00 PM at St. Joseph’s Church, Lee Center where the Rev. Robert Kelly will officiate.  Interment will take place in Evergreen Cemetery in the spring.  Family and friends are invited and may call on Tuesday from 12:00 PM (Noon) to 1:00 PM at the church prior to the service.