Feb 28, 2013

Clara M. Arnold Berman, 73, beloved wife of the late Martin Berman, entered life eternal Tuesday, February 19, 2013, surrounded by her family, less than three months after being diagnosed with a brain tumor.

She was born in England. She and her now-deceased parents, Hermann and Liesel Arnold, emigrated to Paraguay, South America, as refugees during World War II. At the age of 19, she and her eight siblings and parents immigrated to the United States, living first in Georgia and later in New York, Connecticut and finally Pennsylvania.

Surviving are five sisters, Agnes Foster, Elisabeth (Stephen) Priest, Carrie (Joseph) Wojtyna, Kate (Vincent) Keating and Hannah (James) Phero; three brothers, Michael (Grace) Arnold, Hermann Arnold and Franklin Arnold; 14 nephews and nieces; and 10 great-nephews and nieces.

Miss Berman overcame many obstacles to earn her bachelor of administration degree from Duquesne University and her master’s degree in special education from the University of Pittsburgh.

She taught for the Intermediate Unit in the Washington area for many years and was loved by her students and their parents alike. She had kept in contact with many of them, even after retiring. She was known for sending cards and giving gifts for every occasion, not only to members of her family, but to all her many friends and their children.

A celebration of her life will be held at 6 p.m. Saturday, March 2, in Highland Brethren Church, 450 Highland Ridge Road, Marianna. A light dinner will be served following the service. Arrangements were entrusted to Jefferson Memorial Funeral Home Inc., www.jeffersonmemorial.biz.