Obituary of Bertha Juanita Latimer

 

BERTHA JUANITA LATIMER

(née FIELD)

APRIL 19, 1924

MARCH 3, 2023

 

Juanita died peacefully with her daughter Katherine by her side, at Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre.  She was predeceased by her husband, Eric William Latimer, her parents and her siblings.  Her memory lives on through her daughter Katherine and son-in-law John Andrew, her daughter Debby and her grandchildren Ginger and Cody.  She is also survived by many friends and relatives, including her nephew David Hoffe, who held a special place in her heart, and his wife Joanne, and the Walsh family.

 

Born in Cook’s Harbour, Newfoundland, Juanita was the youngest of Clara Jane (nee, Wheeler) and George Field’s ten children.  At the age of sixteen, Juanita left home for a career in retail fashion, selling the latest styles at The Model Shop in St. John’s, Newfoundland.  She later joined Eaton’s Department store.  It was here she met her husband Eric Latimer who was looking to replace a button on his coat.  Eric worked at the St. John’s branch of The Royal Bank of Canada.  After dating a few years, they married and began their life together in Sydney, Nova Scotia.

 

Eric’s career brought the family from Sydney to Dartmouth, Halifax, Montreal, Sudbury and Toronto.  In retirement Mom and Dad moved back to Cape Breton, where she lived until Dad’s death. Juanita’s gift of home organization, interior decorating, fashion, cooking, creative crafts and laughter made each of these relocations entertaining and effortless.  Mom knew how to make a home feel like home.  The scent of freshly baked bread and homemade soup remain warm childhood memories.  She created the tradition of Saturday night grilled steak.  She loved deeply and left a warm imprint on us all.

 

Mom was much loved by her extended family and wide circle of friends.  She loved throwing a party and was happiest when families were together in her home.

 

Although she loved curling, skiing and golfing in her early years, it was long walks with her beloved dog Sam that gave her the most pleasure.  She also loved her flower garden and spent many hours during the summers sitting on her patio with a coffee, enjoying the colour.

 

She loved music, dancing and laughter.  She traveled with both her daughters all over Europe and the United States.  At the age of 84 she acquired an IPad and loved email, photos, books and FaceTime.  She connected with many this way, sometimes accidentally hitting a wrong contact, much to the surprise and then delight of both of them.  It brought her and others great joy to connect.  She loved people.

 

She had a warm and mischievous relationship with her grandchildren Cody and Ginger.  She loved spending two months of every year with her daughter Debby and her grandchildren, watching them grow and play on the sugar white sands of Naples, Florida.

 

We thank the staff of the Balmoral Club for their care and kindness to Juanita during the years of her stay pre-COVID.  She met her very dear friend Edythe there.  During COVID she went to live with Katherine and John where she enjoyed full days of love and care and the devotion of her beloved grand dog, Henry.

 

On the day of our mother’s passing, Toronto received a record snow storm with a most unusual accompaniment of thunder and lightning.  We think that this was a noisy lit up snowy signal from Mom letting us know she had arrived at her final destination.  Much love to you Mom.

 

Cremation has taken place.  Mom’s ashes will be buried beside our father in Sydney, N.S. later this year. 

Condolences may be forwarded through www.humphreymiles.com

 

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