Evening star., 1953-04-10
Mrs. C.k Bergman,
Widow and Mother
OF Carfoonists, Dies

OF Carfoonists, Dies
Mrs. Clifford K. Bergman, 80
widow of The Star cartoonist
died last night at her home, 2114
Bancroft place NV, after a
long illness.
She was the mother of James
T. Bergman. cartoonist, and
Miss Florence Bergman, art
critic. both of The Stars staff
The former Miss Kate Dur
fee, Mrs. Bergman was a fifth
generation Washington resident
She came from a family that
settled in Georgetown before the
National Capital was established
on the banks of the Potomac
Her father was George Durfee
and her mother. the former
Xariffa Smith. She spent a part
of her childhood in Providence,
r. l., and New York City with
relatives.
Taught in ID. C. Schools.
Mrs. Bergman attended Dis
trict public schools and was
graduated in 1890 from the
Washington Normal School. She
taught in the public schools be-
fore her marriage on July S,
1898, to the young man who
was to become one of the coun-
try'S foremost cartoonistS.
Mr.. Bergman died in Decem-
ber, 1949, after a career that
spanned more than half a CEN
tury.
The Berrymans celebrated
their golden wedding anniver-
sary in July, 1943. One of the
several observances was the
opening of an exhibit of Berry
man cartoons at the Corcoran
Gallery of Art, where many
notables and other friends gath
cred for a Sunday afternoon
reception.
Hostess to u. S. Leaders.
Mrs. Bergman had become
an accomplished hostess. Many
years ago, when photographs
were not so readily at hand as
they are today, Mr.. Bergman
drew many public figures from
seeing them in person. He gave
dinner parties in order to get
acquainted with new members
of Congress and cabinet men,
bers. Mrs. Bergman played
hostess at these affairs.
At the time Of the anniversary
observance, Mr.. Bergman said
of his wife:
"She has been a wonderful
companion-and my worst critic.
I listen to her criticisms, too.
She has been a real guide-prob-
ably kept me out of lots of
trouble"
Besides her devotion to her
husbands work, Mrs. Bergman
was much interested in geneal-
ogy and heraldry. She engaged
in extensive research and wrote
papers on famous women of the
world. She also gave lectures,
mostly before women's clubs.
One of her favorite themes was
the important part women have
played in the history of the
world.
Member of Many Societies.
She was a member of the Ma
tional Society, Daughters of the
American Revolution; the
Daughters of 1872, a founding
member of the Daughters of
American ColonistS, member of
the National Society Estate of
Virginia) of Colonial Danes, the
National Club of Colonial Danes,
the Washington Club, of which
she was made an honorary life
member in 1850 the Cultus Club
and the Chevy Chase Club. She
also was an honorary member of
the University Club, one of the
few women to receive this tribute.
When Mrs. Bergman was liv-
ing in New York. she was a men,
ber of st. Luke's parish of the
Anglican Church there. Upon
her marriage, she joined the
Presbyterian church and 10
years ago she rejoined the Epis-
copal church and was a member
of st. Margaret's Church here at
the time of her death.
Surviving in addition to her
son and daughter is a grandson,
Rhys M. Bergman.
Funeral services will be held at
Hines Funeral Home at 10 am.
tomorrow. Burial will be private.
The family has requested that
charitable gifts be made in place
of flowers.