Berta Margit Hertwig

Well, the "old crow" finally "kicked the bucket", and she was her "old cranky self" right up to the end.  She said that if she didn't "make my hundred" she would have to "kick myself" or we would have to do it for her.  Well, Bertha  DID  make her hundred, and surpassed that by another 2 years and six months!!   "Bertie", after all those years of checking the obituaries to find your name,  here it is, Honey!

What a life!  Berta experience privileged luxury where her shoes were tied by servants.  She also experienced the depravations and humiliations of World War II, living in a cockroach ridden shack in a new country, cleaning other people's houses and gradually relative prosperity.  Through it all this earthly angel took people under her wings.  She loved the child she was hired to care for, her best friend "Happy",   her beloved daughters, Ute and Janet,  for whom she sacrificed to give whatever she could, her "Beautiful Brown Eyes" Mary Anne and all the sons-in-law, grandchildren and great grandchildren and so many people whose lives she touched.

"Will I ever see my grandchildren graduate?" she would ask.  The answer was YES, and Oma was there for graduations, marriages and the births and growth of six grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.   At EVERY STEP OF THE WAY, Oma has rejoiced in every good fortune and new achievement experienced by her loved ones. Her love knew no bounds, and so, it seemed, did her energy!

In this life, Berta was an angel with attitude, the most hospitable, giving person possible - and she was tough!  Mom could always outshop both her daughters.  An ardent hiker with her husband, Adi, Berta was unstoppable.  She hiked to the summit of Mount Fairview at the age of 80 with all her children and grandchildren. Her husband, Adi, ten years her junior, passed in 2015 and Berta's new home became ST. Marguerite's Manor.  At 99 years of age she was videoed racing along the hallway pushing her great grandchildren on her walker.  At nearly 100 she powered her way up the trail by Wedge Lake.  Even in her final years at the manor Bertha missed no opportunity to show how limber she was, knees straight, touching her toes.

Berta celebrated her 100th Anniversary February 13, 2018 at the Manor complete with a band, cake and much dancing.  She never missed an opportunity to enjoy music, to dance, to joke, to show her affection and admiration for her family at the Manor.  Only hours prior to passing,  "Bertie" was dancing with one of her favourites at her final earthly home -  but it was time to go.

Berta, from a spoiled, willful child you transformed into the most wonderful, caring friend, wife, mother, Oma, Great Oma  and mother-in-law there could be!  See you later, Honey!