Obituary of Bertha "Frances" Saunders

Even the most indomitable of souls, the fieriest of spirits must one day return home to the Creator. It is with deep sense of loss that the Saunders family mourns its matriarch, Bertha Frances Saunders. In her time on this Earth, she loved nothing more than to serve others, whether as a teacher of preschoolers or a caregiver to seniors. Her proudest legacy, other than her children and grandchildren, is Saunders Rest Home, in continuous operation since the early 1980’s and still family owned and operated. Its staff became her extended family. The positive impact of her life’s work has made the quality of life of hundreds of families better, though she herself was always dismissive of the good she did. All who knew her were impressed by her cooking skills, her gardening skills, her love of hockey, and her humor and willingness to be silly for a laugh. What she lacked in stature, she more than made up for in impishness and joie da vivre, which is why she had so many devoted friends. She was a pillar member of Bridgetown Baptist Church for many decades, reigning over lively chicken a la king suppers and competitive penny auctions. She is survived by her sons, Shaun (Patty) Saunders, Terry (Michelle) Saunders, and Kelly (Jackie) Saunders; grandchildren, Jonathan and Jenica, Jordan, Cale and Brent, and Kellen and Hailey; her sister, Isabel (Lyman) Parks; and many beloved nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her much taller husband, James; her siblings, Phyllis, Malcolm, Edward, Raymond, and Albert. Graveside service will take place Tuesday, March 30th at two o’clock at the Centrelea Cemetery, with Reverend Brian Wallace officiating. No visitation. Family flowers only, by request. Please respect Covid protocols. Donations in memory to Bridgetown Baptist Church or Bridgetown and Area Food Bank. The Saunders family wishes to express its gratitude to the hardworking, compassionate staff at Mountain Lea Lodge in Bridgetown for helping her and us through her final days.