Craig

Bernice Irene Gaiser Craig, 99, formerly of Boggsville, Armstrong County, died Saturday at her daughter's home in Houston, Washington County.

Born Sept. 2, 1912, she was the daughter of Alvie and Mabel Gaiser of Boggsville, where she lived until 2001, when she moved into the home of her daughter, Daryl Allegretti, in Winfield Township.

Mrs. Craig attended a one-room schoolhouse through the eighth grade. She graduated from Freeport High School in 1930 and from Columbia Hospital Nursing School in Wilkinsburg in 1933. She worked as a special duty nurse at Allegheny Valley Hospital, Natrona Heights, and at the former Kittanning Hospital.

On Aug. 16, 1935, she married Richard L. Craig of Freeport.

Mrs. Craig was the first school nurse for the Freeport School District. In her 30-year career, she was the first medical caregiver some children had. She conducted physical examinations and helped to immunize students and community members when the Salk polio vaccine was introduced.

A lifelong member of the Slate Lick United Presbyterian Church, Mrs. Craig belonged to the quilting club, stretching quilts for both church and family members. She also was a member of the Eastern Star in Freeport.

Mrs. Craig and her husband organized several trips to Canada for the family. After retirement, they purchased a fishing camp in Moffett, Quebec, where they spent their summers.

At the age of 76, Mrs. Craig realized a lifelong dream of going to Alaska. Her daughter, Margaret Garrett, and she toured the wilderness in small planes and went whitewater rafting. She loved going to the beach with her family. A special memory was a 1944 trip to San Diego with her children to visit her husband, who enlisted in the Navy during World War II.

While a solid Pittsburgh Steelers fan, she was an ardent Pittsburgh Pirates fan. Her last trip to PNC Park in Pittsburgh for a game was in 2009.

Mrs. Craig was known for her gardening and cooking, especially her pies, as well as her kindness and generosity to her family, neighbors and friends.

She is survived by a son, Robert L. Craig (Nancy) of Oil City, and daughters, Daryl Allegretti of Houston and Margaret M. Garrett (Ron Sparks) of Dallas, Texas; five grandchildren, Deborah Craig, Don (Lynn) Craig, Karen (Charles) Wagner, Kelly Garrett (Michael Pound), and Jennifer (Chris) Deal; seven great-grandchildren, Katie, Steve Jessie, Shawn and Lisa Craig, Hudson and Barlow Wagner, and Hannah Deal; and two great-great-grandchildren, Branden and Jacob Craig. She also is survived by a sister-in-law, Dolly Gaiser of St. Petersburg, Fla., and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Richard L. Craig, who died in 2000 after 65 years of marriage; two brothers, Donald Gaiser and his wife, Helen, both of Boggsville, and David Gaiser of St. Petersburg; a sister, Anna Gaiser Frantz and her husband Jim, both of Boggsville; a son-in-law, Anthony Allegretti of Winfield Township; and a grandson, Dan Craig of Oil City.

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<B>CRAIG</B> — Family and friends of Bernice Irene Gaiser Craig, who died Saturday, Dec. 31, 2011, will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday and for the hour preceding funeral services at 11 a.m. Wednesday at the <B>DENNIS J. DAUGHERTY FUNERAL HOME,</B> 324 Fourth St., Freeport. A private burial at Butler County Memorial Park will follow.In lieu of flowers, the family asks that memorial contributions be made to the charity of the donor’s choice