Mrs. Bertha Vavra- passed away peacefully, surrounded by her family, on Monday, July 20th, 2009 at the Coaldale Health Care Center, where she had resided for the last 3-1/2 years. Bertha will be lovingly remembered by her sisters, Albina Perickova and Martina Praskachova of Lopasov, Slovakia, and numerous nieces and nephews and their families also of Slovakia, her sons Steve (Murdean) Vavra, Stan (Anne) Vavra, her grandchildren Cheryl Vavra, Greg (Jody) Vavra, Terry (Gabe) Ollivier, Karen Vavra, Murray Vavra, Mark (Lori) Vavra, Chris (Karen) Vavra, Louise (Jack) Peacock, great-grandchildren Mitchell, Tyler, and Jade Vavra, Rachel, Elyse, and Eric Ollivier, Kyle, Kristy, and Brianne Vavra, Kailey, Courtney, and Karissa Vavra, Riley, Taylor, Cole, Austyn, and Shaye Vavra-Peacock. Bertha was predeceased by her husband Louis in 1960, and her sister, Maricia Sebestova, and her parents, Blazy and Rozaria Hurban of Slovakia. Bertha was born May 7th, 1914 in Lopasov, Slovakia, the oldest of four daughters. At the age of 24 Bertha and her husband Louis, and their two young sons immigrated to Canada by boat, arriving on Canada’s East Coast on May 1938. They traveled west to Alberta by train where they ended up in Lethbridge, initially settling in the Keho Lake area, then Shaughnessy, Barrhill, and finally Picture Butte. Bertha loved to cook, travel the world, garden, crochet, and play bingo. The most important part of her life was her family and friends. Bertha’s opinion was very respected in family matters and among her friends, and she was the first to listen and offer wise and loving advice on any matter. Friends and family often stopped by for coffee or a meal, and would never leave without a delicious fill of her traditional home cooking or baking. Bertha loved to visit with her friends who came to the house often. Up to the time of her passing, Bertha was a woman of unwavering Catholic Faith. She was a lifetime member of the St Catherine’s Catholic Women’s League (CWL). She will be deeply missed by all those she knew and loved in her lifetime. Our thanks to all the exceptionally kind and caring staff of the Coaldale Health Care Center who contributed their love and compassion through their care making her final years dignified and comfortable. Funeral Mass to be held Thursday July 23, 2009 at 11:00 A.M. at ST. CATHERINE’S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 762 Crescent Avenue, Picture Butte, Alberta with Reverend Tomy Manjaly Celebrant. Interment to follow at St. Patrick’s Cemetery, Lethbridge. In lieu of flowers, those who wish to make a donation in Bertha’s name may do so to Coaldale Health Care Center, 2100 11th St, Coaldale, Alberta, T1M-1L2