Obituary of Sydney Wertenberger

Sydney Lee Wertenberger, 61, of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, passed away on May 19, 2013, after a lengthy battle with cancer She was born to the late Arthur and Doris Martin, February 27, 1952, in Albany, New York. Sydney graduated from St. Agnes School in 1970 and received a BS in History in 1976 and a BS in Nursing in 1976, both from Syracuse University. She completed her MS in Nursing at Russell Sage College in 1980. She married Douglas Wertenberger in 1986 and they lived in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. Sydney worked as a nurse for the Veteran's Administration for 36 years. She was passionate about helping others and worked at VA Hospitals in Albany, New York, Chicago, Illinois, and Grand Island, Nebraska. In 2012 she retired as Associate Director for Patient Care/Nursing Services, at the John J. Pershing VA Hospital in Poplar Bluff, Missouri. She was the member of a subcommittee for the 109th Congress and testified before Congress regarding telemedicine in the care of Veterans in a rural setting. She was published in various medical and nursing journals and received awards for her contributions to the VA Healthcare System. She was a leader for change in Veteran healthcare not only locally but nationally. Sydney is survived by her husband Douglas Wertenberger of Poplar Bluff, Missouri, and her five step-children and several step-grandchildren. She is also survived by her sisters, Dawn Marmor, Syracuse, New York, and Bonnie (Timothy) McCoy of Dolgeville, New York, three special nieces, Rebecca, Sophie, and Hannah Marmor. In lieu of flowers, the family is requesting that donations be made to your local food bank in her name. Sydney was pre-deceased by her parents and youngest sister, Phoebe Ann. Sydney devoted her life to helping others and her warmth and compassion will be missed by all who knew her. She continued her immense love of animals into adulthood becoming involved in several animal rights and action groups. She had two beloved dogs and one cat at the time of her death. The family would like to thank Sydney's close friends, Legacy Hospice Program, American Home Care, and Oakdale Assisted Living who were invaluable as a source of comfort, assistance and support throughout her illness. A private service was held for Mrs. Wertenberger.