Honouring a ‘special lady’: 100th birthday party for Bertha Nutgall

Show of love: Bertha Nuttall celebrated her 100th birthday on Friday afternoon at the long-term care unit at Maple Creek’s Southwest Integrated Healthcare Facility. Pictured are, front row from left, Sharon Olsen (niece); Bertha; Corbett Faulkner (friend), and Violet Kaglea (sister-in-law); and, back row from left, Eloise Jacobson (niece); Sheldon Olsen (great nephew); Amy Zuk Olsen (great niece); and Ethan Zuk Olsen (great great nephew).

By Marcus Day

Maple Creek News

Dressing well has always been important to Bertha Nuttall. So too good manners.

On Friday, she exhibited both virtues at her 100th birthday party, attended by family and friends from communities near and far, including Unity, Medicine Hat and the Cypress Hills.

She was immaculately attired, as ever, and keen to thank all those who came.

“It is very important to say thank you,” she said. “It is very important to be polite.”

Staff at the Southwest Integrated Healthcare Facility’s long-term care unit, where Bertha lives, went to great lengths to ensure her day was memorable.

A packed “town hall” was festooned with balloons, and a eye-catching “Happy 100tth Birthday” backdrop had been created for the table where Bertha sat with family members surrounded by a plethora of cards.

Of course, a big birthday cake – marble and with pink icing – had been made for the occasion.

It was presented intact before Bertha, who blew out a candle, after a few warm-up puffs, prompting cheers all round.

The cake was then cut into enough slices for everyone to enjoy it, with coffee or juice, if they wished. There was also a rendition of the traditional Happy Birthday song.

No doubt in years gone by, Bertha would have got up to dance – her twinkle toes had earned renown, particularly when doing the polka, something she had practised at the family home with brother, Edward.

Other passions in her life included horses, cats, and the great outdoors. She loved nothing more than being among flowers.

Anyone interested in Bertha’s family history had a chance to leaf through an album of memorabilia – including photos, newspaper cuttings, and wedding and funeral notices – on a table near where she sat.

The scrapbook will now have to be updated, with photos of her milestone birthday.

For niece, Eloise Jacobson, it had been a very special day for a very special aunt.

“She is a wonderful, wonderful lady,” she said.