Whitney Pier, NS
February 3, 2025
It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Bertha Theresa Raoul, on February 3, 2025 at the age of 95. She left behind a legacy of caring, supporting and loving for the wide variety of folks who crossed her path on this earth. Her final years at the Harbourstone Guest Home allowed her well deserved rest and reflection following a lifetime of service to others. The family would like to express special thanks to the wonderful staff of Kimberly Hall, especially Mira Bay, who provided kindness and care during Bertha's final years.
Bertha (Costello), was one of 14 children born to James and Blanche Costello (Mollon) and she was raised in Whitney Pier. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 40 years, Mike, a well known local building contractor who passed away in 1989 at the young age of 60.
She raised 4 children: Michael (Mary), Denise (Deceased), Dianne, and Terry (Valerie). She leaves behind one grandson, Michael Raoul and six granddaughters; Jennifer, Lisa and Kim in Ottawa, Michelle Raoul-Winters - Halifax, Renee Doidge (Marlon) - Alberta and Julia Hardy - Halifax. Great grandchildren include Ryker Watt and Kaia Watt of Ottawa, Sunshine Campbell of Sydney and Marshall Winters of Halifax.
Siblings surviving Bertha include Eileen (Mike MacKinnon), Nellie (Jim MacIsaac), Kevin (Linda), John (Mena), Donald (Jane Marie).
She was predeceased by three sisters; Katheen (Frank Hennick) Shirley RN (Buck Muldoon) Doris (Mike MacNeil) and five brothers Bill (Edna), Cyril (Madeline), Gordon (Dorothy), Gary (Karen) and Jim (Joan).
As children of Bertha in the early years, we would often see our mother punching down big pans of dough for bread as we begged her to flatten a few patties to be fried into what we called "flapjacks" - which were eaten slathered in Crosby's molasses. Then there was tending to diaper buckets (no Pampers), loading coal into the furnace and cook stove and covering the floor with newspapers after scrubbing it on her knees. From time to time it was her turn to host "Club" when her lady friends would arrive to play cards, eat sandwiches with the crusts removed and test fresh made baked sweets while laughing freely.
She was a charter member of the St Theresa's parish Catholic Women's League where she served for many years to benefit her friends and community neighbours. She often worked in the old St Theresa's hall serving banquets and attending meetings. Bertha also coordinated the UNICEF Hallowe'en program in the Sydney area. In addition, she was secretary and bookkeeper for our father's construction business.
Our mother is also well known to anybody who passed through Girl Guides in the Sydney area. She was deeply involved with the Brownie, Guide and Ranger programs and left her mark on many successful young women. She received the prestigious Mayflower Award, the highest provincial award from the Girl Guides of Canada. She rose to the rank of area commissioner for the Cape Breton East district. As well, she received the Volunteer of the Year Award for the city of Sydney in 1987. She was presented with this award in Halifax by then Lieutenant Governor, Stan Abraham.
Bertha was also very active in the social community as a regular with the folks who enjoyed playing Bridge. She was also well known in the local bowling league as attested by the many trophies that adorned our window sills and piano top. Mom and Dad could often be seen participating in regular season curling events as well as a variety of spiels at the local curling club. A fitness enthusiast all her life, she enjoyed yoga and was very active in skating sessions at the Sydney Forum, Centre 200 and Dominion rinks where she would be seen gliding to the tunes with a variety of gentlemen on her arm trying to keep up ... she was rarely seen warming the benches. In her later years she vigorously walked the Sydney boardwalk or the popular Dominion beach.
She lived her adult life until the age of 93 on Lisgard Street in the home built for her by her loving husband, Mike. In her later years she was supported by her children and, in particular, her longtime companion, Rudy Plichie, who dropped in most days to visit and called late at night to make sure all was in order before she retired for the night. Rudy was her rock, best friend and companion for many years. They often danced away the evening at a variety of senior venues in the Cape Breton area.
She was not one to talk much about herself, however, at the annual "Costello" party in Big Pond, surrounded by family she loved and trusted, she could be convinced to reveal tales of her younger years growing up in Whitney Pier. When the early boisterous time of the party had subsided to quiet reflection, her memory would come alive and her eyes would sparkle. Family would gather close around her chair of honour to listen to tales of delivering bread, runaway horses and the happy times of courting with our father.
Bertha was a loving mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She made this world a better place for many.
Visitation will take place at TW Curry Parkview Chapel, Sydney on Thursday, Feb. 6 from 7-9 pm and Friday, Feb. 7 from 2-4 & 7-9. Funeral Mass will take place at 11:00 am on Saturday, Feb. 8 at St. Theresa Church, 381 Whitney Ave., with Fr. Evo Di'Pierro officiating. Internment to take place in Resurrection Cemetery at a later date. Memories and condolences can be shared with the family by visiting twcurry.com.
May she rest in peace.
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