Bertha Octavia La Penna Plano

Bertha Octavia La Penna Plano was born to Fred and Rose LaPenna in New York on December 3, 1913. Her family moved to Georgia, but her father, upon driving across the bridge from Palmetto to Bradenton, fell in love with Bradenton, and moved the family. Bertha attended Ballard Elementary and Bradenton High School, and attended Business College. She was Valedictorian of Bradenton High School (MHS) class of 1932. She illustrated the entire class yearbook. She never stopped exercising her artistic creativity. Her childrens' homes are full of her beautiful paintings and drawings; her grandchildren have books she created for them; for her school classmates she made souvenirs for each of the reunions, which she organized until the mid 1990's. Because of her love for MHS and for her classmates, she was awarded a Lifetime Appreciation Award at the 1997 MHS graduation ceremony. She married Anthony Plano April 24, 1937 in New Haven, Connecticut and celebrated 62 years of marriage before his death in 1999. They lived in New Haven, Connecticut until 1946 when they moved to Bradenton. Bertha and Tony owned Bradenton's first Bowling Alley and Lunch Bar. They later owned a furniture store on 14th Street called Perma House of Bradenton. Bertha also worked for Montgomery Wards and Manatee National Bank before going into real estate with Tony. She was awarded Realtor of the Year in 1975, Life Membership to the Manatee County Board of Realtors in 1989, and Life Membership in the Women's Council of Realtors. Bertha and Tony were founding members of First Presbyterian Church's Homebuilders Class and Bertha was the oldest, and longest surviving member of First Presbyterian. She wrote and directed the Centennial Celebration play for the church that depicted the entire history of the church. The stained glass window of Christ with the children in the Church's Childrens' Room was donated by Bertha and Tony and the design was composed by Bertha herself. Bertha had a life-long interest in the arts both visual and performing. She was a member of the Art League of Manatee County, Camera Club, Board of the Manatee Players where she acted in numerous plays and served on numerous committees. She was a founding member of Bradenton's Florida Omega Chapter of Phi Sigma Alpha, a lifetime member of Manatee County Historical Society, and a Docent at Bradenton's South Florida Museum. Bertha lived at Westminster Manor for the last eight years, and passed away at Tidewell Hospice, Palmetto. She is predeceased by her parents, Fred and Rose La Penna; sisters, Julie La Penna, Bea (Paul) Hayo, Ann (Stan) Andrews. Surviving family includes, children: Judith Ann Plano and her children, Linda Young, Leigh Ann Lee, Jael Wagener, Kyla Wagener, Kathy Wagener, Justin Sawyer and Son Vo; Julie ''Patty'' Li, and her children, Karina Li-Hurt (Dave), Lori Gruwell (Craig), and Tanya Li; and Richard (Kathy) Plano and his children, Anton Plano, Larsen Plano and Gabriel Plano; nephews, Chris (Rae Ellen) Hayo and Fred (Liz) Hayo; and loving family members Rafael and Betti Li and daughter, Mi-leen Li; and seven great grandchildren. She is also survived by numerous La Penna, Aransky and Plano family members. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2007 at First Presbyterian Church in Bradenton.