SARANAC LAKE - Gertrude Callaghan Bickford, age 89, of 69 Church St., Saranac Lake and formerly of Rainbow Lake, died Monday, Dec. 21, 2009 at Adirondack Medical Center in Saranac Lake.

Born in Burke on Jan. 1, 1920, she was the daughter of Walter and Hazel (Baldwin) Darling.

She married James Edward Callaghan on Sept. 24, 1941 at St. Paul's Rectory in Bloomingdale. He predeceased her on Sept. 18, 1973. She later married James J. Bickford on May 9, 1974 at the First Presbyterian Church in Saranac Lake. He predeceased her on Oct. 3, 1989.

Mrs. Bickford had been employed as a bookkeeper at the Adirondack Surgical Group for many years until her retirement.

She is survived by three children: Gretchen Gedroiz of Albany, J. Leonard Callaghan of Ray Brook and Jules Callaghan of Upper Saranac Lake; two stepsons: James Bickford and Ivan Bickford, both of Saranac Lake; 17 grandchildren; 13 great-grandchildren; and two great-great-grandchildren. She is also survived by one brother, Bentley Darling, of Deltona, Fla. She was preceded in death by her brother Bruce Darling and her sister Metta Frances Darling.

Funeral arrangements are in care of the Fortune-Keough Funeral Home in Saranac Lake. There will be no calling hours. A graveside service will take place at the convenience of the family.

Friends wishing to remember Gertrude C. Bickford may make memorial contributions to First Presbyterian Church of Saranac Lake in care of the funeral home. Family and friends can also share their memories and sign the online guestbook at fortunekeoughfuneralhome.com.