Bertha Tresa Rossiter, 93, of Lower Coverdale passed away peacefully at home on September 24th, in her favourite chair, surrounded by her loving family. Born in Moncton, Bertha was the youngest of 11 children born to Melina (Leblanc) and Willie Cormier.
Having lost her mother at a young age, Bertha spent her young life being nurtured and loved by her siblings: Eva, Laura, Adelore, Annie, Helen, Roy, Laurence, Philip and Alfred.
Bertha always said she was meant to be a homemaker, a career she began at only 15 years old when she married Donahue Rossiter of Albert County. They went on to raise six children: Donnie, Jim, David, Brenda, Cathy and granddaughter Nancy. She was a true nurturer much to the benefit of those of us who had the privilege to call her Mom and Nan.
She wasn’t just loved by her family, she was adored.
Bertha was happiest when all her family were gathered together. She loved cooking for her large extended family and rarely said no to a request. She was well known for her delicious pies, cookies, gumdrop cakes, potato salad and tomato sandwiches. As a child, she was given the nickname "the tomato kid." I’m not sure anyone enjoyed tomatoes as much as she did and sons Donnie and Jim kept her well supplied in her later years.
Bertha leaves her family with too many good memories to mention. She led an interesting life and was a natural storyteller. We’ll always remember how much she loved buying yet another blouse, playing cards, reading her books and newspaper and, of course, going to yard sales and flea markets.
Selling at the annual Sussex Flea Market was a family affair. She started selling there beside her sons Donnie and David in the 90’s and still had a table set up selling her dishes at the age of 90. She made her last trip there this summer at the age of 93, this time as a shopper.
Mom, Nan, Bertha will be dearly missed by her surviving children Jim (Connie), Brenda, (Bernie) Cathy (Peter) and Nancy (Sharon), her grandchildren Greg, Valerie, Shawnda, Julie, Christina, Joanne, Andrew and Sabrina, her 18 great grandchildren and six great, great grandchildren, as well as several nieces, nephews and friends.
We’d like to thank her homecare worker, Annie, for all her help and companionship this past year.
Bertha was predeceased by her parents, all her siblings (two before she was born), her husband Donahue and her cherished sons Donnie (Brenda) and David (Debbie) and grandson Douglas.
Bertha had a strong faith and left knowing she was safe in the arms of Jesus. We will meet again.
There will be a visitation at Cobb’s Funeral Home and Cremation Center, 330 Whitepine Road, Riverview (869-2007) on Wednesday September 28th from 6-8 pm with a funeral taking place at the funeral home on Thursday September 29th at 1:00 pm with Pastor Scott Balser presiding. Reception to follow. Donations made to the Humanity Project would be appreciated by her family. Online condolences may be expressed at www.cobbsfuneralhome.ca