GUDBJORG UNNUR PARKHILL

PARKHILL, GUDBJORG (BERTHA) UNNUR Bertha Parkhill passed away at the Toronto Western Hospital on August 15, 2018 after complications from hip surgery. She was 92. She is survived by her son Rik, her daughter Patricia, her daughter-in-law Susan, her granddaughter Claire and her sister Asa. Her kindness, sense of humour, tenacity and spirit of adventure will be sorely missed by her family and friends. She was a good friend with a big heart. Bertha was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba on January 16, 1926. Her parents, Fridrik and Holmfridur Kristjansson emigrated from Iceland, seeking and building a better life in Canada. She grew up and was educated in Winnipeg. Bertha worked as a medical laboratory technician in Winnipeg, London (UK) and Toronto before marrying Douglas Freeman Parkhill in 1955. Her beloved husband and best friend predeceased her after 40 years of marriage. She was outgoing, made friends easily, and ensured that the family's moves to various cities in Canada and the United States became an enjoyable adventure. Among all of the places that Bertha lived, she loved the Boston area best and talked frequently about moving to a house on Cape Cod. After raising a family, she became a successful residential real estate agent, first in Ottawa, and then in Toronto. Bertha was passionate about tennis, and played competitively well into her mid-80s. She was curious about the world and an adventurous traveller. She decided to go to the Middle East alone when she was 83, because she had never been there. She was a long-standing and active member of the Lambton Golf and Country Club. Her life will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 29th at 2:00 p.m. at the Lambton Golf and Country Club, 100 Scarlett Road, Toronto. Donations may be made to the Princess Margaret Cancer Foundation.