Apr 22, 2018
Bertha passed away peacefully with family by her side, one month shy of her 95th birthday.
She was born in Fishburn Alberta. The eldest of four siblings, she suffered the greatest loss at the age of four, when her beloved Mother Francis Fortuna Ullian died after giving birth to a son. This tragic event altered Bertha's destiny much as a lightening bolt alters a tree, exploding, damaging and dividing the tree and her family.
Like an Oak, Bertha repaired herself and grew around the damage. The aftermath was heartbreaking for an adult, devastating for a child. Bertha never fully got over the death of her gentle, kind beautiful Mother. Bertha and her siblings were raised by her Father, his Mother Mary McGlynn Ullian and his Sister Isabel. Bertha adored her Irish Catholic Granny.
They were raised on farms outside of Pincher Creek and in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains near Waterton Lakes. The children had to walk three miles to school and three miles home, in all kinds of weather. They also had chores to do before and after school. Many days they took turns riding the family horse to school. He would, as horses do, get fed up having three or more kids on his back, whereby he would "shy" and jump sideways, dislodging the children and like dominos, they would tumble to the ground.
Bertha enjoyed gardening, reading, cooking and knitting. She loved animals, children and nature. She was predeceased by her eldest son Paddy, Brother Francis, Sister Margaret and several cousins. She is survived by her loving Sister Evelyn, her children Robert, Mavis and John and their families.
Thank-you Dr. Trevor Janz, Heather Woodward and all the staff who gave excellent care, while Bertha was a resident of Nelson Jubilee Manor.
Special thank-you to Quinn Edwards, director of Thompson Funeral Service and Officiant Marcella Mugford.
Funeral service was Saturday, April 28, 2018.
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