Berthe left us quietly during Monday’s snow with her family at her side. Born in St Norbert Manitoba to Maurice and Dianne, Berthe remained in Manitoba where she completed high school, earned her radiologist certificate, and met Stan, a tall air force pilot from the west. This last event led to a 38 year marriage that included a number of moves and the births of Sandra, Mike, Bill, Rob, Roxanne, and Kevin.
Berthe and Stan settled in Kamloops and built the family home in Brock in 1969. Berthe, Stan, and a varying number of their and other people’s children stayed in the Hall House until Stan’s Passing in 1993. Berthe lived alone for many years until another tall man won her heart. Berthe and Jack shared 10 years of marriage before Jack’s passing.
Berthe’s accomplishments and roles were many. Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Union President, Health Board chair, President of ASK Wellness, aspiring politician, YMCA woman of the Year, Kamloops Woman of Distinction, and more. Much of Berthe’s good work was done out of the public eye while in the kitchen, the sewing room, or around the kitchen table acting as an informal Ombudsman for those in need. Berthe’s faith was a major component of her life and she was as active in the church as in the home or community. Travel became a major factor for Berthe later in life and she enjoyed many winters in Mexico where she became a friend and benefactor to many.
The Family would like to thank the RIH staff in Emergency and 6 North, the staff and volunteers at Kamloops Hospice, and all those that shared a word or prayer during Berthe’s final days.
Prayers will be recited for Berthe on Thursday, December 12 at 7:00 pm, The Funeral Mass will be held for Berthe on Friday, December 13, 2019 at 11:00 am at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, 635 Tranquille Road, reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift in Berthe’s name to the Kamloops Hospice Association or the BC Heart and Stroke Foundation.
10 Tributes
Dear Sandra and all the family please accept our condolences on the passing of your Mom.
She enriched our lives in many ways..especially colourful ways with her quilting ideas. I was just yesterday admiring the Christmas quilted placemats she made for us. She shared many tasty cooking ideas too including the tourtiere which we still make. She will always be with you in many different ways.
What a lovely life story. Sending my kind thoughts and good vibes to Roxanne. Daniela
Hi Mike, Please accept my condolences on the passing of your Mom. Hugs my friend.
Dearest Family of Berthe and Stan, Please accept our deepest condolences at the loss of your MOM. Your parents were good and special friends to my parents, Ted and Jeanne Darling. They enjoyed many Legion dances and Nov 11ths together. Your Mom gave me my start in Ultrasound at RUH in the early 70s. It was Berthe’s way to be at the start of such a new technology!!! That hand up to me, gave me the start to a long and enjoyable vocation in which I was able to make a positive difference in our world, and teach others also. Your Mother was an example to all…to show us there was always something we can do to help those around us. I left Kamloops in 1976 to be married and as the years passed, cards and the odd phone call kept us in contact..Berthe was always so full of energy and goodwill…smiles and laughter, what an amazing lady. She always spoke so proudly of her children and brought her wisdom as a Mother to the radiology department at RUH and was a councilor the many of the staff and her patients. Life was lively and full of laughter with Berthe around. She will be sorely missed. We shall always remember her loving kind manner and happy sparking eyes and smiles.
Greetings Mike, so sorry to hear of your moms passing. I am a couple years younger than you, born in 1961. My mom passed just 5 days after your mom.
https://riversidefuneralhome.ca/tribute/details/521/Norma-Oldridge/obituary.html
Its been such a hard time but we must move ahead. Sounds like your mother was a church going believer as mine so we can look forward to being with them again in the future.
I love your Rust Valley show, wish I lived closer, would be great to meet and give you some business, I love restoring cars, have had a few in my past I wish I still had.
Take care my friend “Hugs”
Hola Mike,
Te saluda un entusiasta auditor chileno de tu programa Rust Valley, residente en Lima, Perú, desde el fines de Enero de este año.
Una de las cosas que mas me gustan de tu programa es ver el cariño y alegría que transmites a todos a tu alrededor, y la gran calidad humana que posees.
Luego de conocer hoy, el sensible fallecimiento de tu madre, sólo quería expresar respetuosamente mi agradecimiento a ella por el gran trabajo que sin duda hizo en la formación de cada uno de sus hijos, y que ahora podemos disfrutar contigo Mike, a través de tu entretenido programa.
Te mando un gran abrazo desde Lima.
Hi Mike,
You are greeted by an enthusiastic Chilean auditor of your Rust Valley program, living in Lima, Peru, since January of this year.
One of the things I like the most about your program is seeing the love and joy that you transmit to everyone around you, and the great human quality that you possess.
After learning about the sensitive death of your mother today, I respectfully wanted to thank her for the great job she undoubtedly did in the formation of each of her children, and that now we can enjoy through you, Mike, in your interesting TV Show.
I send you a big hug from Lima.
Hey Mike!
I just finished watching Season 3 of Rust Valley and the ending lead me here. I’m so sorry for your loss Mike but you should be proud of your mother’s life long accomplishments. she also raised a great man like yourself that puts others happiness before your own. it broke my heart to know of your mother’s passing but it looks like I’m a year late. wish you were here in the states! can’t help but think how many more people you’ll brighten up the same way your mother did. Rest her soul in peace forever. she won’t ever have to miss one of your car reveals anymore!
I’m so sorry to hear about you mom we watched your show and was worried it was you hope the lord leads you to better Tides like he has for us and are kids she’ll be an angel to watch your growth and your shops growth you’ve come along way people love you. God bless.
I just searched for your Mom Sandy and found out she passed, I am so very sorry. What a fantastic lady she was, nothing stopped her. I would love to hear from you Sandy to catch up on the last 40 years, you were always a friend and a special one. Just very unpredicable. Would love to hear from you again.