Bertha "Dee" Dolores Pulsinelle

In her words (Dictated to a nurse in a rehabilitation hospital a few years ago) :

Bertha Dolores Kovitch was born on October 8, 1930, in Scranton, PA to Michael & Bertha Kovitch. She had one younger sister, Ann Marie. Her father worked in the coal mines (true coal miners daughter’s) and her Mother worked in sewing factories that made sugar and flour bags, and potato sacks. Life was difficult for Bertha and her family. Money was so scarce that she and her sister were sent out to pick up pieces of coal along the railroad tracks - rain or shine.

Bertha completed High School in Scranton, she was an excellent student receiving all 100’s. When at age 20, she met Eugene “Genie” Pulsinelle at a dance. They dated for a year and then Eugene said “Lets get Married”. They exchanged vows at a small ceremony in Lyndhurst, NJ. Five months later, Eugene was drafted into the US Army where he served two years in Germany, during the Korean War.

The couple had four children - two girls and two boys: Linda, Anne Marie, Johnny and Bobby. There are now four Grandchildren: three girls and a boy and a recent Great Grandson born in January 2024.

While raising their children, Bertha and Eugene lived in NJ. They were a very close family even though times were tough. Eugene was in and out of work, so Bertha helped out. She worked in bookkeeping, teletype, and in real estate tax office for the City of Clifton, NJ.

Eugene and Bertha didn’t have much money but they did have fun times with their children. She recalls special summer vacations in Vermont and on the New Jersey shore. The children learned to be content with small treats - even ten cents for the candy store. Bertha is so proud of her children. All four earning college degrees.

Through the years, Bertha and her family had many cats and dogs. She even caught two parakeets in her backyard and kept them as pets in a cage. She did not want them to be killed by cats, so she tossed a towel over the birds as they perched in a shrub and then scooped them up!

For several years, going to garage sales and thrift stores has been Berthas favorite hobby. She is especially proud of her collectibles and treasures. These included angels. artwork, statues of mothers with children, old china, crystal, art prints and clocks - including four wall clocks that ‘gonged’ every 15 minutes and every hour!

In January, 2008, Bertha and Eugene bought a house and settled in Mesa, AZ to be near a son, daughter-in-law, and grandchildren in Chandler, AZ. On August 11, 2008, her beloved, Eugene “Genie”, passed away suddenly and unexpectedly. On October 27th they would have celebrated their 57th wedding anniversary.

Surveying her life, Bertha treasures many wonderful memories of times with her husband, Eugene “Genie”, children, and grandchildren.” “It is her family that truly brings her the greatest joy!”

Bertha “Dolores” loved to bake and cook amazing meals for her family. She enjoyed music, home decorating, sewing, flower gardening, and had a true love of birds, animals, and nature.

Despite all of her visual and physical challenges, she has endured over her later years, Bertha never looked back, never complained, and never let hardship keep her restrained. Remembering her strength and words like “you just keep moving” and “just keep going” and “a little bit at a time”, that’s just what Bertha did.

Bertha was a member of the St. George Roman Catholic Church, Apache Junction, AZ, the Arizona Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired, Phoenix, AZ as well as the City of Clifton Retirees Association, NJ.

She is survived by her four children, Linda Pulsinelle (John Gutkowski), Anne Marie Smith,John Pulsinelle (Robin), Robert “Bob” Pulsinelle (Ewa); as well as four grandchildren, Corinne Pulsinelle (Irene), Olivia Janssen (Alex), Casey and John Pulsinelle; and one Great Grandson, John”Jack” Janssen. A Niece and Nephew in Pa

Bertha is preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Eugene R. Pulsinelle; sister Ann Marie Kovitch Corti; son-in-law: Kirk C. Smith (spouse of Anne Marie Smith)

‘We prayed for her healing, so she could stay here with us, but God knew she was tired, so He set her soul free’. ‘Although we are apart, we will feel her love and know that she is with us forever in our hearts’.

MOM, We love you and will miss you! Heaven has Welcomed an Angel!

We are Thankful and Grateful to our brother Bob, Ewa and their children for caring for Mom and Dad while they resided in AZ.

The family would like to give special thanks to:

Marie “Winnie” Dempsey, Bertha’s long time caregiver, for her devoted friendship, love, care & compassion for almost 15 years. Our family has been so Blessed and so Grateful for Winnie being there for Mom, always and unconditionally.

The family would also like to thank the staff at Prism Hospice, for there wonderful in-home caregivers and nurses who were so helpful in the later stages of her life.

A funeral service will be held at a later date, details unavailable at this time.