Obituary of Alberta "Bertie" Jean Vasey
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Alberta "Bertie" Jean Wright Wicks Vasey at the age of 94 on Thursday, December 28, 2023 at her daughter's residence in Raleigh, NC. She was born the youngest of eleven children on April 9, 1929 to Archie Gilmore Wright and Emma Hilgendorff Wright in Bristol, PA. Upon her birth mother's death that August, Bertie was raised and subsequently formally adopted by her maternal aunt and uncle, Mary Hilgendorff Wicks and Clifton Brabrook Wicks. Having been raised in the same area, she maintained close contact with her siblings, step siblings and their families her entire life. It was here that she graduated from Bristol High School in 1947 and married Carey Vasey on December 26, 1949 at Zion Lutheran Church. Following multiple moves for Carey's education and job placement, the Vaseys ultimately settled in Geneseo, NY in 1964, where they raised their two children. Bertie routinely managed to secure employment over the years typically in the form of legal secretarial work. She loved to type and her expert skills were put to particular good use for typing Carey's doctoral thesis–a noteworthy effort, given the time frame and frustrating necessity of carbon paper and agonizing absence of personal computers. Bertie was employed at many different office locations in the local area, oftentimes on or near Main Street in Geneseo, including the Livingston County Sheriff's Department, St. Michael's Church, Key Bank and Dennis R. Dawson, Esq. She loved life and was always eager and enthusiastic for the next adventure (either with you or for you), and thrived on coffee and conversation. Bertie was left-handed (which she often bemoaned), self-effacing, selfless, smart, grateful and gracious. She was generous with her time, and always made the effort to show up for you and be proudly present to represent you. She was a confident woman of faith who put others first, with a defined focus on family. She served on Christmas bazaar committees, Altar Guild and as a Sunday School teacher at St. Michael's. In later years, she and Carey returned to their Lutheran roots and were active members at St. Timothy. Bertie enjoyed sewing and cleverly crafted dolls with matching dresses for her daughter and granddaughters. Homemade Christmas gifts were often a specialty, whereby she would harvest grapes from backyard vines for jelly or purchase cucumbers en masse for bread and butter pickles. Blueberry pie, NY style cheesecake and scratch-made candies were other treats she enjoyed sharing. She never knew a stranger, was curious about people and maintained a kind, positive, strong, mischievous spirit. Lunch dates with Carey were a favorite pastime and the two could often be found at Wegmans or other local haunts grabbing a bite to eat. She was an incredible daughter, sister, wife, mother, mother-in-law, grandmother, great-grandmother, neighbor and friend. Her bright green eyes greeted most mornings with goodwill, optimism, humor and hope. She was well loved and will be dearly missed.
Bertie was predeceased by her husband of more than 70 years and best friend, Dr. Carey E. Vasey in 2020. Those surviving to treasure her memory include: her sister, Emma Wright Lawrence of Levittown, PA; her children, Rev. Brian (Joanne) Vasey of Lewisburg, PA and April (Michael) Bryant of Raleigh, NC; her grandchildren, Brandy (Steve) Aguirre, Timothy Vasey and Olivia Bryant; her great granddaughters, Diana Noelle Aguirre and Robin Aria Aguirre; numerous nieces and nephews.
No prior calling hours. A memorial celebration commemorating the lives of Carey and Bertie Vasey will be held at a date yet to be determined at the convenience of the family, with interment to be at St. Michael's Memorial Garden. Memorials may be made to St. Michael's Episcopal Church, 23 Main Street, Geneseo, NY 14454 or St. Timothy Lutheran Church, 5015 Lakeville Road, Geneseo, NY 14454.