A Mother Across the Decades
If we are defined by what we love the most, then our mother would have been defined by her family. Bertha (Hale) Demill (1923-2019) was always first and foremost a mother. She loved and was proud of all of her children. She loved her vocation and was an active caregiver for many decades.
Bertha and Jack started their family in the 1940’s with two little girls: Jacqueline (m. David Haimes) and Judith (m. Lee Barker). Living with Jack’s parents during the war years, Bertha would spend a decade looking after their home and their daughters all the while helping Jack build their new home next door.
In the 1950’s, as the house on Harris Street was completed, Bertha and Jack added three more children to their family: Brian (m. Lucy Nathan), Terry (m. Ann Burns) and Laurie (m. Barry Whatley). These were very busy years for Bertha as she cared for her little people and prepared her older daughters for the adult world.
The 1960’s added two more children to the family: Robert (m. Gina Arscott) and Lisa (m. Michael Montague). Cooking, cleaning, and balancing the needs of seven children at different stages of life was more than a full-time job.
As the 1970’s progressed, Mum was balancing the needs of adult children, teenagers, and young people. She was also quite involved in Baptist Church activities and the Christian Women’s group. Added to this were the growing needs of her and Jack’s aging parents. She would sometimes grow tired but was not unhappy.
By the 1980’s grandchildren were starting to arrive. Even into the 1990’s, when her daughters had babies, she would move into their homes for several weeks to help out while the families adjusted to an added member. As late as 2010, Mum and Dad would babysit grandchildren as need arose.
As the new millennium progressed, Bertha’s ability to physically care for people decreased. But she still made sure that her children and grandchildren knew that she loved them through thoughtfully worded notes and cards.
After Dad’s death in 2013, Mum’s role as a caregiver finally came to a close. As a result of decades of good modeling, her children and grandchildren were now able to spend a few years caring for the caregiver. We were able to repay, to a small degree, all the years of sacrifice she had made for us.
Mum spent her last five years at her home on Harris Street. She was always happy, laughed a lot, and enjoyed the comings and goings of her many family members. Her life was further enriched by a host of wonderful caregivers, Glenna, Jacqui, her niece Christine and the amazing staff from CarePartners. The family will be forever grateful for the joy and tender care they showered upon Miss Bertha.
On March 2, 2019, Mum quietly slipped out of this world while her son, Terry, softly stroked her hair. We’ll miss her. But we are thankful for the 95 years she had and are proud of the legacy she leaves in us.
Bertha is survived by seven children and their spouses, eighteen grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
A funeral service will be held at The Ross Funeral Chapel, Port Hope on Thursday March 7th, at 2 p.m.
Interment Port Hope Union Cemetery. www.rossfuneralchapel.com
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Our most sincere sympathies to the family and friends of Bertha Demill Saturday March 2nd 2019..
Death notice for the town of: Port-Hope, Province: Ontario