Bertha Mavis JEFFERY

The family sadly announces the death of Bertha Mavis (Baldock) Jeffery, who passed away peacefully on June 7, 2022, in Port Alberni, British Columbia.  Bert was born on April 23, 1921, at Balmoral, Manitoba, the 6th of ten children of George and Lottie (McClure) Baldock, and was the last survivor of all her siblings and their spouses.  

She grew up on the family farm west of Balmoral and attended Balmoral School.  She then moved to Winnipeg and worked during the war years, and in 1945 married Ron Jeffery when he returned home from the War.   They soon moved back to Balmoral and bought a garage business called “Central Sales and Service” which Ron ran from 1950 to 1963. They also bought a farm three miles east of town where daughters Lois and Valerie were raised.

Bert enjoyed gardening, helping with the 4-H club, and curling at the Balmoral Curling Club into which she was inducted as an Honorary Life member.  Her happiest times were having family come to visit during the summer months when everyone got to enjoy the harvest from her big garden at the farm.

After Ron’s sudden passing in 1981, Bert moved to Stonewall, MB and then later to Sidney, BC to be closer to her daughters who had relocated to the west coast. She joined the lawn bowling clubs in Stonewall and in Sidney, BC and also became an avid walker, which kept her active and in good health until her death.  In 2010 Bert moved to Qualicum Beach and then in 2020 to Tsawaayuus (Rainbow Gardens) in Port Alberni, where the kind and caring staff took such good care of her.

Bert is survived by her two daughters, Lois and Valerie, both of Parksville, BC; granddaughter, Christine (Will) Kouvaris; great-grandsons, Kristopher and Matthew, of California.  Bert is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, across Canada, and in California and Hawaii.  She was predeceased by brothers (and spouses), Frank (Hazel) Baldock, Mel (Lil) Baldock, John Baldock, Bill (Marie) Baldock, and Bob Baldock, and sisters (and spouses), Elva (Gus) Touchard, Ella (Bud) Murray, Norma (Bill) Ross and Edie (Ed) Brady.

Cremation has taken place at Yates Memorial Service and a family celebration of life and internment will be held at Victoria Cemetery at Balmoral, MB at a later date.

Our thanks to the staff at Rainbow Gardens, Port Alberni, for their kindness in caring for Mom for the past 2 years.