Dorretta B. Ferber

Dorretta B. Ferber

Troy- Dorretta B. Ferber, formerly of Fifth Avenue, Troy, died Tuesday, January 10, 2006, at St. Mary's Hospital in Troy after a brief illness.

Born in Troy, she was the daughter of the late George Ferber and Dorretta (Miller) Ferber.

She had resided most of her life in Troy and summered at Forest Lake in Grafton for many years. She was a graduate of Troy schools and earned a B.S. in physical education and a M.A. in elementary education at Russell Sage College.

Miss Ferber was a kindergarten teacher at School 5 and School 16 in Troy for 30 years, retiring in 1985. Previously she taught physical education in Rochester, New York, and at Emma Willard School in Troy.

She was an active member, Elder and Trustee of the First United Presbyterian Church of Troy and a member of its Women's Association. She was an active member and Past President of the Russell Sage College Alumnae Association; a member of its National Fund Committee, Planned Giving, and Students and Scholars Capital Fund Drive; and chair of the national phonathon. She was honored with the college's Doris Crockett Award in 1984.

Miss Ferber served on the Board of Directors of Family and Children's Service, the Wiawaka Holiday House on Lake George, and Sunnyside Center, working with the Mercedian nuns to establish an after-school and Saturday morning program for neighborhood children. She was Past President of Camp Fire Girls. She was a member and Honorary Trustee of the Rensselaer County Historical Society and a member of the Troy Women's Club. She served on the board of the American Red Cross for many years, receiving a 45-year pin for voluntary service.

Her other volunteer service to the community included the Daycare Center of Samaritan Hospital, the former pre-school program at Russell Sage College, and Eden Park Nursing Home in Troy. She was a life member of the PTA at Troy Public School 16.

Miss Ferber had been a Red Cross Instructor-Trainer and for nine years taught at the Red Cross National Aquatic Schools. She served as director of the former Troy YWCA Camp Yowochas in Grafton for 9 years. She was involved for 25 years in organized camping. She taught water-safety classes at RPI for 9 years and was a Water Safety Examiner.

She is survived by her brother, John A. Ferber, of Gainesville, Fla., and by her nephews and their wives: John G. Waite and Diana S. Waite, of Troy; Frederick P. Waite and Sherrian Knight, of Washington, D.C.; and Robert G. Waite and Katrin Reichelt, of Washington, D.C. She is also survived by several other nephews and nieces and by her grandnephew J. David Waite, of Portland, Ore., and by her grandnieces Angharad and Penelope Waite, of Philadelphia.

She was predeceased by several brothers and sisters: Dr. Carl J. Ferber; Mildred F. Ingalls; George, Frederick, Paul, and Philip Ferber; Irene Buckbee; and Helena F. Waite.

Funeral service will be held Saturday at 11:00 a.m. at the First United Presbyterian Church , 1915 Fifth Avenue, Troy, with the Rev. Alexandra Lusak, Pastor, officiating.

Relatives and friends may call at the Bryce Funeral Home, Inc., 276 Pawling Avenue, Troy, on Friday from 3-7 p.m. Interment at Oakwood Cemetery in Troy.

Contributions may be made in memory of Dorretta B. Ferber to the First United Presbyterian Church, 1915 Fifth Avenue, Troy, NY 12180 or Sherman David Spector Professorship Fund-Sage Colleges, 92 First St., Troy, NY 12180.

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