Mrs. Cook was born in Saco, Maine on March 5, 1924 to Ludger Fortier and Flora Boisvert. Bertha met the love of her life and married Ernest Cook May 24, 1947 and enjoyed life together for 51 years. Mrs. Cook resided in Saco, ME (1924 - 1958), South Windsor, CT (1958 - 1970), Sarasota, FL (1970 - 1988) and Ellenton, FL (1988 - Present). She was foremost a homemaker raising four successful children despite very hard times and being of humble means. After her children were grown, she worked outside the home in the food service industry for nearly 20 years at South Windsor High School, CT, the Publix Supermarkets in Sarasota and Tropicana in Bradenton.
Bertha was a great cook and at one time won a blue ribbon for her famous whoopie pies in a CT area baking competition. She enjoyed reading her Bible, playing all-night marathon Cribbage and Hearts card games at the 150+ year old Maine farmhouse in Maine, family re-unions, Holiday gatherings, flowers, nature's beauty, music, travel and autumn in New England. Bertha was the unbreakable bond for her whole family. She was humble and had a strong faith; lived out that faith in the way she loved and raised her family; and unconditionally gave and helped others out throughout her life.
Bertha was predeceased by her parents; three brothers William, Johnny and Leo Fortier; two sisters Dora Hebert and Marian Plourde; husband Ernest and son Dennis. She is survived by her two daughters; Brenda D. and Donna G., both of Palmetto; two sons, Kenneth E. (wife Greta) of Dunbarton, NH, and Kevin J. (wife Denise) and 3 grandsons, Chris, Matt, and Mike all of Palmetto.
Visitation (10 AM) and services (11:30 AM) will be held Wednesday April 27, 2016, at Groover Funeral Home, 1400 36th Ave. E., Ellenton, with Pastor Berkley Helms officiating. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to a charity of your choice in honor of our mom. Condolences may be made to the family on-line at www.groover-funeral-home.com
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