RICHFIELD SPRINGS - Ann Garbera, age 87, of Johnson Street, passed away on Thursday morning April 2, 2009 in Mary Imogene Bassett Hospital, Cooperstown.She had the comfort of her family ather side. She was born on September 3, 1921, in Wood, PA, daughter of the late Stephen and Pauline Waznac Spytko.A lifelong area resident, she was raised in Cullen and educated in Richfield Springs Schools. On May 20, 1941, she was united in marriage with John Garbera in Sts.Peter & Paul Orthodox Church in Herkimer.They shared a loving and devoted union of forty-seven years until his passing on February 1, 1988. In 1946 they moved to Richfield Springs where they had made their home. Mrs. Garbera first worked as a sewing machine operator for the Barnum Dress Company in Richfield Springs and later for Shur-Katch in Richfield Springs.She retired from Shur-Katch in 1992 after twenty-four years of service. Ann had a strong belief in God and was a member of Sts.Peter & Paul Orthodox Church in East Herkimer.She was also a member of Crowley-Barnum American Legion Post #25 Ladies Auxiliary, Mohawk. In her leisure time she enjoyed bowling, bingo and watching television whenever the Atlanta Braves were playing baseball or a good wrestling match was on. To all who knew her they will remember a warm, caring and unselfish lady who always put others first.She was happiest when she was surrounded by her many friends and family especially her cherished grandchildren and great grandchildren.She will be truly missed. Surviving are her two sons and their wives, John Gobbie and Xin Jian Garbera, Daniel and Suzanne Garbera all of Richfield Springs, six grandchildren, Colleen Garbera of Richfield Springs, Stacey Pestar and her husband Joseph of Virginia Beach, VA, Kari Shekhter and her husband Leo of Delmar, Amanda Garbera, Erica Hunt and her husband Tyler and Wei (Sandra) Huang all of Richfield Springs, eight great grandchildren, Allison, Ryan, Jacob, Persephonie, Zachery, Joseph, Alyssa and Baby Shekhter, several nieces and nephews.Besides her parents and husband she was preceded in death by five brothers, John, Michael, Walter, Joseph and Steve Spytko and two sisters, Helen Penalis and Mary Brykailo. Funeral service will take place on Monday at 10:00 am in Sts.Peter & Paul Orthodox Church, East Herkimer.The Very Reverend James Jadick will officiate.Interment will follow in Sts. Peter & Paul Orthodox Cemetery.The family will be present to receive relatives and friends in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home, 40 West James Street; Richfield Springs on Sunday from 4:00 until 7:00 pm.Parastas will be on Sunday at 6:30 pm in the funeral home. Expressions of sympathy may be made with memorial donations to the Richfield Springs Emergency Rescue Squad.Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.