Bertha A. Starkey

Mrs. Bertha A. Starkey of Youngs Cove, passed away at the Saint John Regional Hospital on November 23, 2006 at the age of 79. Born in Ellicetownship, Stratford Ontario on August 13, 1927, she was the daughter of the late Jack and Ethel (Loke) Haldane and the beloved wife of the late Archie Starkey who passed away in August of this year.

 Bertha is survived by three daughters: Evelyn Starkey and Robin Harper of Kingston Peninsula, Jennie DeLong and her husband Neil of Woodstock, Noelle Drost and her husband Randy of Coles Island; two sons: Paul and Kathy Morgan of Dartmouth, NS, Tom and Susan Eades of Grand Bay; her sister, Ruth and her husband Neville Nunes; eight grandchildren: Nathan DeLong, Nicholas DeLong both of Woodstock, Ryan Starkey of Fort St. John, BC, Crystal Goddard and her husband David of Sussex, Tina Rayner and her husband Jason of PEI, Tammy of Sydney, NS, Rhonda and her husband Phil Dubois of Halifax and Brooke Eades of Grand Bay; 11 great grandchildren: Troy, Jessie, Colton, Mya, Mitchell, Jordyn, Brian, Dustin, Ty, Cole and Clay; as well as several nieces and nephews. Bertha was predeceased by her husband, Archie; five brothers: Robert, Doug, Gordon, Charles and Ian; and by her sister Elsie.
Bertha lived most of her childhood in Lansing, Ontario. She attended Presbyterian Church where she was a member of the choir, leader of young people and a Sunday School teacher. She attended school until grade 10 and

began to work at the time when the men were going to war, while working for insurance companies to cover the cost of her education. She attended night school and graduated from Jarvis Collegiate School in 1952.

Bertha married Archie Starkey on July 17, 1954 when she moved to Coles Island, NB. There she raised her four children, Evelyn, Paul, Tommy and Jennie. She got a lot of pleasure out of watching her children grow up, they all have the same sense of humor as their parents. She worked at teaching them love and respect and she also learned to be a good referee.

Leaving all her friends and family and moving to Coles Island was quite a life change for Bertha. she basically had to come to a place that was very foreign to what she was accustomed. She was close enough to look out her window and see her neighbours, she rode on street cars and worked to earn her own living. Her job in Coles Island was every bit as important and most days more demanding. While Archie worked away a lot to support the family, it was up to Bertha to keep the home fires burning. They had a small farm which they worked at to help put food on the table, while doing this they taught their children about kindness to animals and respect for what they had.

After her children had grown, she raised her granddaughter, Noelle. She volunteered many hours at the Coles Island School before becoming their librarian.

Bertha’s talent shone through when she sent her kids to school in the made-over clothes and knitted hats, mitts and socks.

Bertha loved doing things for others, the more the merrier was heard several times over the years. She made quilts for her children in their younger years and they often came home to the sweet smell of freshly made cookies or bread. Bertha loved to take pictures and was very proud of her “Brownie” camera.

When it came to summer, Bertha could be found picking clover and rose petals to make the winter supply of honey. During the winter months, you could see the lights on as she and Archie would be working hard to keep the house warm for the family. Bertha's kindness, wit and love for other people was widely known. She may have only given birth to four children but her love adopted so many more.

Her last few months were unbearably lonely for her but that was never shown in her smile. The ache in her heart was short lived as she and Archie are together once again. We can be rest assured that they are looking down on us with the same twinkle in their eye and smile on their face as they carried in life.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, (506-433-1176). Visitation will be held at Wallace Funeral Home on Monday 2-4, 7-9 pm. The Funeral Service will be held from Coles Island Baptist Church on Tuesday, November 28, 2006 at 2:00pm. The interment will take place at Coles Island Cemetery.

As an expression of sympathy donations made to the Living Memorial would be appreciated by the family.