Obituary of Margaret Spalding Berg

Margaret Spalding Berg, 96, formerly of Apalachin, NY, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Friday, December 22, 2017 at the home of her son and daughter-in-law, Robert and Cheryll Berg of Candor, NY. Margaret was born on August 9, 1921, in Papaikou, Hawaii to the late James Lawrence Samuel Spalding  and Hazel Pine Spalding. She was predeceased by her husband of 49 years, Albert Allen Berg in 1999.  She was also predeceased by her first husband, Harvey Carl Schultz. Margaret moved with her husband, Al, and their combined family of eight children from Kealakekua Kona, Hawaii to Tioga County, New York, (where Al grew up) in 1959. Margaret grew up on the Onomea Sugar Plantation near Hilo, Hawaii and attended the University of Hawaii.  While in Hawaii, Margaret worked for the telephone company and spoke Japanese, learning the language as a child from her schoolmates and governess. Margaret was a survivor of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor where she lived in a home which suffered damage from friendly fire. In New York, Margaret worked many years for the federal government in the Defense Contract Auditing Agency and for Valley Radio, a family business. Upon her retirement at 70, she worked a few years for the Tioga County Council on the Arts, and WSKG. Margaret continued living at her home in Apalachin through 2009, when she moved to North Carolina to live with her son and daughter-in-law, Jim and Connie Schultz, for five years.  For many years prior to that, she would spend the winter months in Virginia with her daughter and son-in-law, Kathryn and Dan Fritzke.  Since 2014, Margaret has lived in Candor. Margaret was a member of The First Presbyterian Union Church in Owego, New York. She was an avid crossword puzzle, cribbage, and Scrabble enthusiast; she was well-versed in Hawaiian culture, knowing by heart many Hawaiian songs and dances.  Margaret is survived by her children, Judi Clark, Texas; James (Connie) Schultz, California; Allen (Paulette) Berg, North Carolina; Ted Berg, North Carolina; Don (Kathleen) Berg, Stamford, NY; Robert (Cheryll) Berg, Candor; Walter (Polly) Berg, Virginia; Kathryn (Dan) Fritzke, Virginia and great nephew, John Strange, of Apalachin. She is further survived by many grandchildren, great grandchildren, five great-great-grandchildren; nephews and nieces; and her special friend and fellow Scrabble player, Nancy Phillips of Owego.  The family would like to extend a special Thank You to Lourdes Hospice for their care of Margaret.  A funeral service celebrating Margaret's life will be held Saturday, January 6, 2018, at 4:30 p.m.  at the First Presbyterian Union Church. in Owego, NY, with the Rev. Lisa Heckman officiating. A dinner will follow in the fellowship hall. The family will receive friends prior to the service from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m. Burial will be in Hawaii at a later date. Condolences may be made to Margaret’s family at www.emfaheyfuneralhome.com.