Obituary of Alberta Tompkins Baxter Morrison

Alberta "Bert" Tompkins Baxter Morrison Alberta "Bert" Tompkins Baxter Morrison, 85, fought against COPD with every part of her being. Bert peacefully passed away on November 16, 2010 at Vassar Brothers Medical Center. This lovely lady with a genuine and warm smile that always accompanied her throughout her life was born August 10, 1925 in Beacon, NY to Frank and Anne Tompkins. After High School, Bert worked at The Beacon Hat Factory where she met Richard J. Baxter. They married April 6, 1947 and resided in Beacon. Bert also worked at Walsh's Drug Store. While in Beacon they began a family. Sorrow was to befall her, however, when Richard passed away in 1964 after battling bone cancer for seven years. She had learned at an early age to be strong and yet gentle. She had to return to work at Montgomery Wards and then later IBM where she worked until retirement. In 1984, Bert met D. Ian Morrison who also was employed by IBM; and they were joyously married on June 9, 1985. Bert enjoyed bowling and dancing and traveling in her younger years. She remained a loyal Yankee fan throughout her life. Along with her husband she was an active member of the Freedom Plains Presbyterian Church. In addition to being survived by her loving and dedicated husband Ian, Bert leaves behind to cherish her loving memory her son, Brian Atkinson, daughter, Jan Marie Baxter and daughter, Cheryl and her husband, Russ. Surviving also is her loving stepfamily; her step daughters, Marsha and her husband Dave Miles, Sandra and her husband Rich Pisani and Laurie and her husband George Ballentine and her step son, Ian and his wife Barbara Morrison. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Rich and Eric; step grandchildren David, Jon, Susan, John, Heather, Sean, Marie, Jeremy, Damien and their spouses. Bert was blessed with two great-grandchildren as well as eight step great-grandchildren all of whom lovingly called her "Grammie." Our dear Bert is also survived by her adoring big sister, Shirley Maks of Poughkeepsie. Also surviving Bert is her step sister, Alice King of Poughkeepsie. Bert treasured her close family ties especially with her precious nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her little sister, Elizabeth Spencer of California. Visitation will be on Sunday, November 21, 2010 from 2 to 4 and 7 to 9 p.m. at Straub, Catalano and Halvey Funeral Home, 55 East Main Street, Wappingers Falls. There will be a funeral service at 10 a.m. on Monday, November 22 at the funeral home. Entombment will be at the convenience of the family. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Lung Association, 155 Washington Avenue, Suite 210, Albany, NY 12210. For directions to the funeral home or to leave the family a personal condolence, please visit our website at www.StraubCatalanoHalvey.com.