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Bertha E. Cleland, a resident of Albuquerque since 1967, died peacefully on Saturday, April 18, 2009 at age 95 with her family at her side. She was proud to be a native New Mexican, born to her parents Giuseppi and Maria Romiti on July 12, 1913 in Rayado, only one year after New Mexico became a state. She spent the first 41 years of her life in Raton and Colfax County and married John Cleland in Raton in 1933. She was a loving wife, devoted to and very proud of, her three children and their families. Bertha loved life and lived it to the fullest, involving herself in the PTA, Scouting, and supporting any activity in which her children participated. She was employed for many years by Kistler Collister in Albuquerque and particularly enjoyed fishing, gardening, and visiting with friends and relatives. Bertha is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, John H. and Irene Cleland and William J. and Sally Cleland of Albuquerque, and her daughter and son-in-law, Diana L. and Otto Schumacher of Spokane, WA. A sister, Rena King of Rio Rancho also survives her, as do eight grandchildren, eight great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren, and numerous nephews and nieces who live in various states of this country. Her husband John, her parents, four brothers, two sisters, one grandchild, and a great-grandchild preceded her in death. The family is very appreciative of the love and care given to Bertha by the staffs of the St. Catherine Heathcare and Rehabilitation Facility and Hospice of the Sandias. A Memorial Service honoring Bertha will be planned and held during the summer months to allow most of her family the opportunity to attend.
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