Bertha Alice Baron-Blanchard (née Lee)

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Bertha Alice Baron-Blanchard. Bertha was a guiding light for her family-loving, steadfast, and always there for them. She embraced life with humbleness and gratitude, making every moment count. Bertha compared her life to a river: gently smooth flowing in places but also encountered rapids, eddies and turbulence with uncertainty at a turn ahead ultimately leading to a wide expanse. A rich, full life which she navigated with resilience. 

Born in Oyen, Alberta, to Antonis Kristian Lee and Helen Elizabeth Lee, Bertha grew up on her family’s farm with her siblings: brothers Warren and Norman, sisters Viola and Doreen, and half-sisters Alfild and Hildur. Her early years on the farm, rooted in hard work, family, and community shaped her lifelong values of resourcefulness and gratitude. Her life spanned a remarkable era of history, from traveling to school in horse-drawn wagons, to countryside drives in an electric car. She witnessed significant world events and changes: a great depression, a World War, economic booms and busts, a moon landing and space exploration, and the advent of the digital Internet.

Bertha met Michael Baron, who was working in the Oyen area, and they married in 1945. They relocated to Calgary and settled in the new town of Montgomery in 1952. They had three sons: Raymond, Kenneth and Arthur. Bertha and Michael shared 47 years of marriage in a loving home before he passed away in 1992. In 2002, Bertha married Martin Blanchard, who brought her joy until his passing in 2014. Ultimately, she lived in the same home for an incredible 70 years. 

Mom’s river was full and active. She worked in the Cereal hospital, was a soda jerk in Innisfail before the move to Calgary. As a seamstress, she created everything from intricate wedding gowns and bridesmaids’ dresses to cozy blankets and everyday clothing, each piece made with care. She volunteered as a Cub Scout den mother and was active in the local community. 

Mom worked with the Calgary School Board for over 25 years most of them as a teacher’s aide in the ECS. She loved working with the young children touching so many young lives with her kind positive active approach to their learning. Bertha loved singing and dancing to “Jingle Bell Rock” with her students. 

Bertha’s 57 years of membership in the Rebekah Assembly of Alberta Lodge #125 was a cornerstone of her life. Rising to Alberta President in 1988, she developed a gift for public speaking and creating thoughtful messages- always comfortable with the microphone. Bertha poured her time, energy, and heart into every endeavor, leaving a lasting impact on those around her.

Her talents reflected her creativity and determination. Bertha created wonderful paintings with a personal touch-signing each with three small birds, symbolizing her three sons. 

Her adventurous spirit and zest for life never waned. She loved to dance and spend time with her many friends. She loved to travel whether it be day trips, weekends away or more significant travel, not be afraid to try new things. She cherished highlights like a trip to Singapore, as well as cruises to Alaska, Mexico, the Caribbean and Hawaii. Standing atop the ships, looking at the expanse of ocean all around her, very different for a girl from the prairies. She took a cross-country bus tour to Halifax, the Rocky Mountaineer to Vancouver and as a proud Canadian, she was able to say she put her toe in both oceans. 

She made numerous trips throughout the USA through her lodge as well as several times to Fresno, California, to visit her favorite Aunt (an aunt with whom she had stayed in High River to attend grade 10). While visiting there she loved riding in her cousin’s small plane flying over the Pacific coast, even taking a turn at handling the controls. 

She embraced every experience with curiosity and laughter, even appearing on a TV quiz program with her neighbor. She often said, “A poor day goes by when you don’t learn something.”

After a fall in 2022 which affected her mobility, she relocated to Silverado Creek Senior Community. There she was described as a delight and a role model for class and respect, where her positivity continued to shine.

Bertha is survived by her sons, Kenneth (Debora) Baron and Arthur (Eileen) Baron; granddaughters, Lisa (Troy) Baron and Julie (Jay) Baron; great-grandchildren, Rylan, Cody, and Maisee; her sister, Doreen; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Predeceased by her husbands, Michael Baron and Martin Blanchard; her son, Raymond Baron; her parents, Antonis Kristian Lee and Helen Elizabeth Lee; brothers, Warren (and sister-in- law, Winnie) Lee and Norman (and sister-in-law, Iris) Lee and sister Viola (and brother-in-law, Jim) Foster, brother-in-law, Jim Culshaw; half-sisters, Alfild (and brother-in-law, Howard) and Hildur (and brothers-in-law, Edward and Ron); her favorite aunt, Mandy (and Durr, Howard, Gordon and Shirely) Weaver. 

We take comfort in knowing her faith and religious beliefs brought her peace and guidance throughout her life. We will continue to create happiness in our lives through her memory. And so, it goes…

In keeping with her wishes, no funeral service will be held. There will be a private family gathering at her interment at the Sunnydale cemetery in the spring.