LACONIA ---- Bertha E. Drouin, 90, of Laconia, NH, died on Tuesday, August 27, 2024. She had been a resident of Laconia since the 1930’s.
Bertha was born on May 3, 1934, in Woburn, Quebec, the daughter of the late Diogene and Valeda (Caron) Drouin.
Auctions, yard sales, and flea markets were Bertha’s favorite entertainments. She ran Bertha’s Used Furniture and Antiques for over half a century on Court Street in Laconia. Before her business, Bertha worked at the Laconia Shoe Shop and Mindy’s Restaurant.
Her great heart gave many down on their luck paid work to help them get by. A blessing to their grateful families who also appreciated that she rented to low-income individuals. The late Dr. Brassard of Laconia was fond of saying, “Bertha, you already have a place in Heaven.”
To her great delight, she met Hollywood greats during the heyday of the Gilford Playhouse. Her season passes came by way of her lending furniture, old suitcases, feather boas, and any other odd thing that fit the bill as props.
Seafood and Chinese food were her restaurant favorites. Any homemade meal made her smile, especially since cooking was not in her wheelhouse. She could make a mean cup of instant coffee and often drank ten cups a day!
Bertha loved Laconia traditions like watching the sled dogs, the long bike week journey by car down Weirs Boulevard, and the Big Bands at the Winnipesaukee Ballroom.
Bertha is survived by her niece, Karen Trendell; nephew, Scott Trendell and his wife, Cynthia, and their daughter, Jocelyn and her husband Michael; nephew, Brian Chase, Sr., and his wife, Robin, and their son, Brian Chase, Jr., and his children; and many Canadian and American cousins.
She was predeceased by her longtime companion, Zepherin Belleau; and survived by his son, Wayne Belleau, and his family. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Julien Drouin; and sisters, Marie Ange Drouin Chase and Alice (Trendell) Hill.
She will be remembered smiling and laughing at the next joke.
Calling Hours will be held on Friday, September 6, 2024, from 6:00 pm – 7:30pm, in the Carriage House at Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, NH.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, September 7, 2024 at 10:00am at St. Andre Bessette Parish – Sacred Heart Church, 291 Union Avenue, Laconia, NH.
A Graveside Service will follow at Sacred Heart Cemetery, Garfield Street, Laconia, NH.
Luncheon will be announced at services.
For those who wish the family suggests memorial contributions in Bertha’s name be made to the Laconia Historical & Museum Society, PO Box 1126, Laconia, NH 03247.
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services/603Cremations.com, Laconia, NH, 03246, is assisting the family with arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial, please visit wilkinsonbeane.com.