On behalf of the McCombe connection in Northern Ireland and Scotland, I extend to Yvonne, Shirley, Heather, Ruth, and your respective families, our deepest condolence and sympathy on the passing of Bertha.

My first memory of meeting Bertha dates back to the summer of 1992, when she visited us at Carnreagh Farm, accompanied by Heather and Ruth.

The farm held many fond memories for Bertha. It was the birthplace of her mother Susan Hill (née McCombe) and a place where she would often visit during childhood to stay and play with her cousins (my aunts Margaret, Mabel, Florence and Violet, my Uncle Tom and my Dad, Eric).

Growing up at the farm it was not unusual for us to meet and entertain relatives who had departed these shores many years earlier. In most cases our overseas visitors were children of the previous generation who had set sail for America and Canada in search of new horizons and opportunities.

That first visit by Bertha, Heather and Ruth in ‘92 was also significant because, thanks to the technology available at the time, and my keen interest in videography, it was captured and immortalised in video format, surviving to this day in the McCombe Media Archive!

On her subsequent visits in 2003 and 2016, I still remember Bertha's enduring interest in our lives, her kindly smile and generous sense of humour.

I remember smiles, always a smile...

It was a lovely service and Bertha would be so proud of each and everyone of you.

Thinking of you all.

We have fond memories of Auntie Bertha's last visit to Ireland in 2016 when we enjoyed a walk along the seafront in Sandymount with Adrienne and John, Malcolm and Margaret, the dogs Buddy and Otto and Enda taking the photo. We're enjoying the gallery of photos at the start of the memorial service.

Bertha will always have a special place in our hearts. Our many chats, laughs, shared memories of Ireland and fellowship together in Jesus are treasured. We will miss her until we meet again in glory! Much love to all the family. Sam & Judith.

I shall always remember Bertha's kindness to us Feeney's as we grew up beside each other as neighbours on the Black Bog Rd, Carlow in the late 1960's into the early 1970 "s. When Bertha and David decided to emigrate to Winnepeg it was a huge loss to us as a family. Bertha was such a confident friendly,empowered young woman with 4 wonderful daughters ( our childhood friends ) and David , a gentleman. I shall always remember Bertha and David generously having us for Sunday lunch when our mother was in the Coombe maternity hospital giving birth to the younger of my 7 siblings. That was indeed a very significant gesture on Bertha's part as in those days Sunday was sacred and only families got together then. Bertha always made us feel welcome as we regularly knocked on her door to play with her girls. In 2016 we had the pleasure of Bertha visiting us again but for the last time with Ruth. We have wonderful memories and photos of the joy both our beloved Mum and Bertha shared in catching up with each other.

We offer you Yvonne, Shirley, Heather , Ruth and your loved ones, our sincere condolences on your beloved Mum's passing . May the beautiful memories you have of your mother, mother in law, grandmother, aunt, friend shine like bright stars in the darkness of your sorrow. Ar dheis De go raibh a hanam dilis.

My deepest condolences to the family. Bertha was one of my favourite patients as she always came in with a smile on her face and was so pleasant. Beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman.

"When someone you love becomes a memory , their memory becomes a treasure" ALWAYS TREASURE YOUR WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF YOUR MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER AND GREAT GRANDMOTHER BERTHA

All the best to the family

Marty Greenfeld

She leaves treashures behind.