HOLLIS CENTER- Bertha Edna (Johnstone) Garland, of Hollis Center, died quietly at the Kennebunk Center for Health and Rehabilitation on Ross Road in Kennebunk, Maine on Oct. 12, 2015. She was a five year resident there and died of declining health due to dementia.
She was born in Clinton, MA on February 20, 1922, the second daughter of the late John and Ida (Lockwood) Johnstone of Alfred, Maine. She attended Alfred Schools and then went to Bar Mills to work at the Rene Emery Store where she met and married the love of her life, Bernard Garland. They made their home in Bar Mills and raised four children. They were married for 67 years.
Bertha worked for the SAD #6 School Lunch Program for over 20 years at the Eliza Libby School in Bar Mills. She loved cooking and the neighborhood children loved to come and visit because they knew they would get some of her delicious treats. She amazed unexpected guests with her ability to put on a full course meal in a matter of minutes. She loved to crochet afghans and give them away to family members and to those that needed a touch of love. She especially like to play pranks on her friends on Halloween. Her home church was the First Congregational Church of Buxton (Tory Hill Meetinghouse) and she loved being a member of the Ladies Auxiliary in her younger days.
She is predeceased by her husband, Bernard Garland, and siblings: Thelma Pike, Effie Gilpatrick, Lois Fluent, Avis Johnstone, Shirley Letourneau, Nancy Hobbs, Joyce Johnstone, and Russell Johnstone.
She is survived by siblings- Rudy Johnstone, Earl Johnstone, and Lucien Johnstone; Her children- Joan Atkinson of Hollis, Judy Pew and her husband John of West Union, SC, Avis Hanson and her husband Frank of Hollis Center and Marleen Holmes and her husband Don of Rock Hill, SC; twelve grandchildren; sixteen great grandchildren; four great great grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.
The family wishes to thank the Kennebunk Center for Health Staff for their loving care of our mother.
A graveside service will be held on Saturday Oct. 24 at 11 AM at the South Buxton (Tory Hill Cemetery) in Bar Mills, officiated by Pastor Brian Blair. A reception will follow at the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church, 80 Pleasant Hill Road in Hollis.
Arrangements are with Chad E. Poitras Cremation and Funeral Service – Buxton. Online condolence messages can be submitted at the funeral home's website – www.mainefuneral.com.
In lieu of flowers, if you wish to donate because of her love of feeding others, you may donate to the Pleasant Hill Baptist Church Food Pantry, 80 Pleasant Hill Road, Hollis, Maine 04042.