Sisskind Funeral Service

Celaine Hershdorfer
June 17, 2026 Celaine Hershdorfer, 89, passed away early Wednesday morning at Menorah Park.
Bom on September 11, 1936 to Bernard and Lydia Flesher Finkelstein, she had been a life resident
of Syracuse.
Celaine and Victor were one of the earliest members of Congregation Beth Sholom and remained active
throughout its history.

She was a past president of the sister- hood of the congregation, active with the catering committee and served as the bookkeeper for the congregation. She had a love for the synagogue and devoted hours upon hours vol- unteening. Celaine chaired the cemetery committee for many years as well as serving on the board of the Syracuse Jewish
Cemetery Association. She enjoyed Mah Jongg, Canasta, Bridge, Tennis, and gardening with her friends.

Celaine enjoyed cooking and was named "Cook of the Week" by the Syracuse Herald Joumal.
Her family includes her husband Victor; their children Michaol, Barbara (Philip) Metzger, Jonathan; grandson Kevin (who was her special joy, and his fiancé Savannah Thieme; her sister Lana Hoffman; her sisters-in-law Vicki Jeneste, and Marilyn Hershdorfer; and many nieces, nephews and cousins
She was pre-deceased by her brother Richard Finkelstein, and brothers-in-law Paul Howman, and Gary Hershdorfer

Friends may visit with the family immediately prior to the service on Friday from 10-11AM at Congregation Beth Sholom Chevra Shas, 18 Patsy Lane, Dewitt. The service will follow at 11. Burial will be in the Beth Sholom section of Oakwood Cemetery. Shiva will be observed Sunday evening at Congregation Sholom Chevra Shas from 7-9PM Contributions to perpetuate her memory may be made to Congregation Beth Sholom Chevra Shas

The service will be live streamed at:
https://cbscs.zoom.us/j/86456347940?pwd=ispHk8z0JH5VmFU2L38y5wcPzKDbMI.1

Peggy Bertram, 70, passed away on June 1, 2026, after a courageous battle with a rare and aggressive meningioma brain tumor.

Born on February 18, 1956, to Joy and Mike Moss, Peggy spent most of her life in the Syracuse area, while also spending meaningful years in San Diego, where she met the love of her life, Harold. She and Harold raised their daughters, Rachel and Amy, in Fayetteville.

Peggy was a graduate of Nottingham High School and Ithaca College. She spent cherished summers at Camp Woodmere, where she formed lasting friendships and memories she treasured always. She spent nearly 40 years as a physical therapist, with most of her time at St. Joseph’s Hospital, where she blended her love of movement and science with her deep desire to help others. Outside of work, she enjoyed making memories with her family, exploring nature, cheering on her favorite sports teams, and volunteering at Helping Hounds Dog Rescue.

Her family includes her husband, Harold Bertram; daughters Rachel (Brandon) Wooten and Amy (Brittany Ellenberg) Bertram; grandchildren Ryder, Brinley, and Rowen Smith, and Mac, Stone, and Quinn Wooten; sister Jacqueline (Scott) Ayres; and nephews Richard (Mekea Larson) and Christopher Ayres. She also cherished a nearly 60-year friendship with her best friend, Anne Kemper. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her sister, Anita.

One of Peggy’s final acts of generosity was participating in Memorial Sloan Kettering’s Last Wish Program, through which she donated her organs and tissue to help advance cancer research after her passing. Her gift will help researchers better understand how cancers like hers grow and spread, with the hope of supporting the search for better treatments for families facing similar diagnoses.

In lieu of a formal memorial service, we invite those who knew and loved Peggy to share photos, memories, and stories. If you have a favorite memory, photo, story, or anything that captures who Peggy was, please email [email protected]. These memories will mean so much to our family and will help us hold on to all the ways she was loved.

We are also raising funds for a picnic table dedication in Peggy’s honor. Peggy was active, vibrant, caring, and had a zest for life. She loved swimming, biking, hiking, and being near lakes, waterfalls, and nature. The picnic table will be placed near a waterfront walking path, creating a peaceful place where our family can gather in the years ahead to remember her. If you would like to contribute, please email [email protected] for donation information. Any contribution, in any amount, is deeply appreciated.