Berthamae Gaffney Obituary

Berthamae Gaffney, 88, died peacefully July 18, 2007, after a 10-month battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her daughter, Shelley Heiserman, and two grandchildren, Lindsey and Chris, at their home in Wasilla.
A memorial Mass of Christian Burial will be at 7 p.m. Wednesday at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. A Rosary service will be at 7 p.m. Tuesday at the church.
Berthamae was born Jan. 16, 1919, to David and Verda Pomarleau in Medicine Lake, Mont. She was adopted at the age of 3 by her Uncle Alfred and Aunt Alida Pomarleau in Fargo, N.D. They moved to Minneapolis, where they lived for three years before returning to Medicine Lake when Berthamae was 6 years old. She attended school there and graduated from Medicine Lake High School.
Berthamae married Monte Gaffney July 6, 1937, in Medicine Lake. Monte worked for Inland Construction Co., requiring the couple to spend their first years of marriage in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, Nebraska and Montana. In 1942, Monte was called to work as a master welder at the Bremerton Naval Shipyard in Washington, where they lived for six years. In 1948, they returned to Medicine Lake to raise their family. Berthamae remained there until 2003 before moving to Alaska to live with Shelley.
Her family wrote: "Berthamae was extremely involved in her community and St. Patrick's Catholic Church. Her leadership positions included 4-H leader, PTA secretary, president and secretary of Music Mothers, FHA Chapter Mother, substitute teacher, captain of her bowling team and league secretary, all offices of Altar Society, first Liturgy chairman and Eucharistic minister, and Parish secretary. Berthamae worked on the Election Board for 20 years and at Jack and Jill Grocery Store from 1974 to 1986. She was an avid bridge player and crossword puzzle extraordinaire and loved playing card games and reading."
Berthamae is survived by her four daughters, Noreen Gaffney and her daughter Nicole Chevalier; Sharon Gaffney and her daughter Stacie Stensrud; Terri Nikolaisen and her husband Lowell and their children Stephanie Vogel and Kris; Shelley Heiserman and her children, Lindsey and Chris; and her son, Tom Gaffney and his wife Debbie, and his children Katie and Colton; two great-grandchildren, Kenna and Drew Stensrud; sister-in-law, Eileen Gaffney; and half-sister, Marge Dow.
Contributions may be made to Hospice of Mat-Su or the local Alzheimer's Chapter.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Anchorage Daily News on Jul. 23, 2007.

Memories and Condolences
for Berthamae Gaffney

6 Entries

Marlene Muffley

July 28, 2007

Dear Shelley,
I was happy to see you have been able to spend these last years with your mom at your home. I remember visiting your family home in Med. Lake 50 years ago and enjoyed your mom. She was always so nice and I remember thinking that she was such a hard worker! It's always had to lose a loved one. My prayers go out to you for comfort and stength.
Marlene Sonstegaard Muffley

Jean Reuter

July 27, 2007

My thought and prayers are with you all. I used to live in Medicine lake and many times Bertha Mae would be the one who waited on us in the Jack and Jill. She was always so friendly and everyone loved her. I also bowled with her on league at the Medicine Lake Bowling ally. Remember all the wonderful memories you have of her. May God Bless you all.

Len Nopen

July 26, 2007

Hey all!! I'm really sorry for the loss of your Mom and Grandma. I was so glad I came up there last summer and saw her for the last time. I pray for all of you and hope thst God will take good care of your Mom and Grandma.

Paula Thuesen

July 26, 2007

Dear Shelley, Lindsay and Chris,
I'm so very sorry for your loss, your mother/grandmother was a lovely lady. I admired her so much. I know it won't be easy, but your friends are praying with and for you all. My love to you all,
Paula

Christine Nelson

July 24, 2007

Dear family of Bertha Mae, I am Dena Nelson's daughter, Bertha Mae's half sister. I have been keeping track through email forwards from my cousin, Nanette, who is the daughter of Don Pomerleau, Bertha Mae's brother. Aunt Marge is the only living daughter of Grama Verda Swenson, formerly Pomerleau, now. It makes me really sad to lose our elders. I didn't know Bertha Mae but met her once in Reno. She looked a lot like Grama Bee and was a good story teller. She told stories I hadn't heard before and would have liked to remember but now that is quite awhile and they have slipped away. I loved reading in the obit that she was a bridge and card player of great ability, like my mom, who died on Christmas eve 2005 at home as Joy to the World was on the CD player, also in her Catholic faith community.
I am very sorry for your loss and will write. I wish our family had been closer but love knowing you are there and hope your lives will be happy ones. Peace to her spirit and Solace to yours, Chris Nelson

Sacred Heart Staff

July 23, 2007

Shelley, Lindsey, and Chris,
We loved knowing your mom over the years. Her great wit, wonderful stories, and faith will be cherished by all of us.
Julie, Aileen, Sheila, and Jenny

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