Bertha Harper

1923 - 2013

Bertha (Tuthill) Harper, 90, of Farmington, passed peacefully into eternal rest surrounded by her loving family on December 13, 2013 in Avon. Bertha was born on January 14, 1923 to the late Fredrick O. Tuthill and Barbara (Minkwitz) Tuthill of Naugatuck. She was predeceased by her brother Fredrick B. Tuthill and her sister Jean Massey. Bertha was married to the late Charles Smith of Meriden for 46 years and together they raised four children and one foster child. They raised their family in Granby, CT, spending their summers at the beach in Westbrook. Charles and Bertha retired to Deerfield Beach, Florida in the winters where they were active in church, Shriners, and with their many friends and acquaintances. Bertha was a member of the Shriners lady's band in Deerfield Beach as well as the Daughters of the American Revolution. Bertha is survived by her son Donald Smith and his wife Judith of Watertown, and her three daughters Lynda Veleas of Farmington, Barbara-Jean Fitting and her husband Jeffery of Pleasant Valley, and Denise MacGregor and her husband Thomas of Essex; 7 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild. She was the wife of the late Robert Harper for 20 years. There will be a memorial service to celebrate her life at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main Street, Rt.4 in Unionville at 7:00 pm on Wednesday December 18, 2013. To send online condolences to the family, please visit www.ahernfuneralhome.com.