Fern D. Cranston, 92, a longtime resident of Walton passed away on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at Albany Medical Center in Albany, following a long illness.

Fern was born on May 13, 1920 in Walton, the daughter of the late Charles and Bernice (Tanner) DuMond. She was valedictorian of her graduating class of 1937. On September 1, 1940 she married Charles W. Cranston at the First Baptist Church in Walton. He died on February 6, 1990.

Fern was employed by the Walton Reporter as a proofreader. She was an active member of the First Baptist Church in Walton where she held many offices including Deacon, served on the Board of Trustees, Sunday School Superintendent and Teacher, Director of the Youth Group, and she sang in the church choir. In her spare time she enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, baking, vacationing in the Adirondacks near Minerva, taking long walks and snowshoeing with her beloved Charles.

Fern is survived by her loving family, her children, David (Rosemary) Cranston of Syracuse, NY; Susan (James) Barnett of Jacksonville, Florida; Tim (Becky) Cranston of Saugerties, NY; her grandchildren, Jennifer, James, Jeremy, Charmayne, Troy, Kevin, Jeff, Maren, Jennifer, Mary, and Cynthia, 23 great grandchildren, her special friend, Retha Beardslee who never forgot her, and special nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was predeceased by her brothers, Rufus and Thurston DuMond, and her sister, Thelma Armstrong.

A graveside service will be held on Friday, April 19, 2013 at 11AM at the Walton Cemetery, 55 Fancher Avenue, Walton with the Rev. Jay O'Connor officiating. Memorial contributions in Fern's memory may be made to the First Baptist Church Building Fund, 9 Pine Street Walton, NY 13856.