Anna Marie Berta

Anna Marie Berta, age 93, of Mesa, Arizona, passed away on Friday, November 1, 2013, in Mesa. She was born July 20, 1920, in Brooklyn, New York, the first child of John and Lillian Nevlin Stack. She was of the Catholic faith and attended Transfiguration School in Brooklyn.

At the age of 17, Anna was introduced to Charlie Berta. Much to Anna’s surprise, Charlie asked her to go to the movies with him. She was even more surprised when her mother granted permission for the date. After a short courtship, the couple married on October 30, 1938, in Brooklyn, NY. Charlie preceded Anna in death in 1984.

Our “Energizer Bunny” relocated to Mesa from Floral Park, NY, in 2006 at the age of 86.

She is survived by: five children, Ronald Berta and his wife Sandy of Dover, NJ, Dennis Berta and his wife Lucy of Mesa, AZ, Joan Miller and her husband Gus of Gilbert, AZ, Lynne Fabulich of Flushing, NY and John Berta of Wappingers Falls, NY; eight grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and four great-great-grandchildren.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 10:00 am, Tuesday, November 5, 2013, in Holy Cross Catholic Church in Mesa. Arrangements have been entrusted to Mariposa Gardens Memorial Park & Funeral Care, Mesa, AZ.

GREAT GRANDMA ANNA'S STORY

As told by Abigail Berta

My great grandma, Ann, was born in Brroklyn, NY, in 1920. Her parents named her Anna Marie Stack. She was their first child. Eventually, her perents ended up with six children. After Anna came John, Lillian, Eileen, Gerald, and Mary. When Anna was little she couldn't say her brother's name. She tried to say "brother" but it sounded like "Bob". Soon everyone said "Bob" the way little Anna pronounced it. Very few people know his true name is John. Sadly, Lillian became seriously ill and died at a very young age.

Anna's parents met and married just after WWI. Anna's mom, Lillian Nevlin, was 1'2 German and 1/2 Irish. Her family came fron Yonkers. Anna's dad, John Stack, was 100% Irish. His family came from County Cork. John had a difficult time supporting his family. He worked at a paint factory for a while and then on various WPA Projects durring the Great Depression. The Stack Family was the "Super" of their six family apartment building. Anne remembers clearing the snow from the walkways with her mother and siblings. She remembers how excited her brothers were when her father brought home a beat up wagon for them to use to collect wood. The neighborhood that they lived in was a mix of all nationalities - mostly recent immigrants.

Anna went to the local Catholic School. Transfiguration School was near their building. Anna recalls playing hide-and-go-seek around the neighborhood. The girls talked and played jacks on the front stoop and the boys played stickball. She used to buy milk for 8 cents a quart and ice cream was a nickel.

Anna met Charlie Berta when she was 17. They both knew Mrs. Quinn in the neighborhood. Charlie was a widower with a young son named Ronnie. Anna was visiting Mrs. Quinn and her friend. The friend was Charlie's sister-in-law. She was looking after Ronnie and Charlie came to pick him up. Anna was very surprised when Charlie asked her to go to a movie with him. She was even more surprised when her mom granted her permission to go. Charlie was well respected and admired. He had a good job at the Jell-O factory and a car.

By the age of 18, Anna was Charlie's new bride and Ronnie's new mom. Charlie was a good man. He didn't drink. He was handy and could fix anything. He worked his way up with jobs and became a printer.

Anna and Charlie lived in Brooklyn in a cold water flat. The apartment had four rooms. The toilet was in the hall and shared by all the families. The bathtub was in the kitchen with a cover. They heated water on the coal stove to put in the bathtub. They hung a sheet for privacy and bathed in the kitchen. The water did not stay warm very long. In good times they sent the laundry out. The lamps were lit with oil.

Anna and Charlie had four children together: Dennis, Joan, Lynne and John. Dennis is my grandpa. Great Grandma Anna says Dennis was a "handful". She used to have to tie a rope on him when he played in front of the building. It was long enough for him to play but he couldn't reach the gate and run into the busy street. He used to try to keep up with the big kids and he had several close calls.

Charlie died in 1984. My dad, Robert, is the son of Dennis. My dad remembers Grandpa Charlie coming upstate to visit them in the country. Dad hated sitting by Grandpa Charlie at Mass because he was so strict. He did love to sit by himon the porch listening to baseball games on the radio though. Great Grandma anna lives in Arizona near her children, Dennis and Joan. Her other children still live in New York and New Jersey. I interviewed Great Grandma Anne on Thanksgiving 2009 in Arizona. She was 89 and I was 7.

TRIBUTE TO ANNA BERTA ON JULY 20, 2010 IN CELEBRATION OF HER 90TH BIRTHDAY

By Shirley Aggas

My husband, Harry, and I moved to Ventanna estates 4 years ago. Some of the people of the community we met at first was what we like to call the sweet ladies. They included Ann Houston, Juanita, and Ann Berta.

We noticed right off the kind of woman Ann was. Whenever you met her on your travels throughout the community she gave you a welcomed HELLO, a GOOD MORNING and asked how you were. What a beautiful way to start your day!

When my husband and I became involved in our clubhouse projects, Ann backed us, showed up and never failed to help whenever she could. She has truly been an inspiration to our community and it has been a great blessing to all of us. You expect that from others that are younger, but we receive it from Ann. The smile on her face sick or well will melt your heart.

So, Ann from my husband, myself and your community, we wish you the happiest of birthdays and if you have 90 more we know you will remain the same.

HERE'S TO () MORE, WE LOVE YOU!

(RIDE THAT PONY, YEE, HAH!)