Bertha Marie Conlin born August 30, 1915, passed away peacefully and loved at Alder Bay Assisted Living in Eureka on May 7, 2012. She was 96 years old. Bertha, known to her family as Grammie, is now healthy in heaven, fishing and traveling with her husband, John. Bertha was born in Astoria, Oregon to William and Ulriika Soderman. She grew up in Astoria, graduated as her class valedictorian from Astoria High School and was a graduate of Portland Business College. She met her husband, John Conlin, in Astoria and they married in 1942. Together they moved to California in 1953, living first in Blocksburg and then Arcata with their two daughters, Gayle and Ann. Bertha did bookkeeping for the businesses she and John owned and operated, and later for the Arcata Volunteer Fire Department. Bertha was a member of the Finnish-American brotherhood, the Knights of Kaleva in Astoria, OR and attended and was active with the Arcata Methodist Church and Katie's Krafters. Bertha is survived by her daughters and spouses, Gayle Sobol (Francis) and Ann Hulsebus (Jim); and grandchildren and spouses, Todd Sobol (Sherrie), Eric Sobol (Shirley), Kristina Beck (Manny Marquez), Lisa Gorge, Amy Pellatz-Jerry (Dominick) and Juliana Wayman (Darrell); great-grandchildren Shelby and Kelsey Sobol; Allison and Garrett Sobol; Anna Beck; Ashlee, Kaylee, Kassidee, Jayden and Alex Gorge; Ava Jerry; and Emily and Elise Wayman. She also leaves numerous nieces and nephews and her calico cat and companion, Missy. She was preceded in death by her husband, John Conlin (1979). The immediate family held a celebration of life on May 9, which included Bertha's homemade favorites: oatmeal raisin cookies and strawberry rhubarb pie. No funeral will be held; Bertha will be laid to rest next to her husband John at Arcata's Greenwood Cemetery. The family wishes to thank all of Bertha's friends who during her life offered their friendship, especially her friends at the Methodist Church of Arcata and at Katie's Krafters. The family also wishes to thank their own friends who have reached out to express their condolences. Finally, the family thanks the kind caregivers of Alder Bay and Hospice of Humboldt who made Bertha's transition dignified and peaceful. Bertha lived a long and full life, filled with love and family. She was a very bright woman who read continuously and worked crossword puzzles to keep her mind sharp. Bertha loved to travel with her husband, tow their travel trailer and look for good fishing spots. She was blessed to never have any serious ailments and enjoyed a happy marriage, family, career, and retirement. Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren have fond memories of playing at her home, peeking in the cookie jar, and playing Boggle and Scrabble. The entire family has memories of Christmas celebrations at her home where she wore the same Christmas skirt each year and served her infamous rice pudding with money wrapped in foil and hidden inside.