Bertha Colli

Deeply loved and respected matriarch, Bertha Maria Colli, passed away on June 6, 2014 in Dallas, Texas. Her life and faith were an inspiration to her family and her many friends, neighbors, coworkers and fellow parishioners. She was born on March 4, 1933 in Merida,Yucatán,Mexico to Faustino and Rosa Maria Colli. In Merida, she owned and operated a little grocery store, an unusual feat at the time for a young single mother. In search of a better life for her daughters, she came to Dallas in the 1960's, followed by her daughters, parents, and both sisters' respective families, which today encompasses well over 100 extended family members in the Dallas area alone. Always a woman who insisted on independence and pursuit of knowledge, Bertha was well into her fifties when she received her GED and learned to drive, and even took guitar lessons, computer classes, and courses in composting. Her many passions included gardening, knitting, and sewing. Bertha enjoyed her leisure time of reading, crossword puzzles, and visiting with neighbors. She particularly appreciated quiet evenings at home watching novelas and knitting with her best friend Gloria Martinez and niece Chari Serrato. She loved to hold garage sales, more than any reason simply for the opportunity to meet people, She loved to cook, and the entire family looked forward to the tamales she made every year. She discovered her love of traveling at a late age which included a visit to the waterfalls of Chiapas, Mexico and observing the whales off the coast of Hawaii. Last November, Bertha fulfilled a lifelong dream to return to her hometown of Merida, Yucatán and visit her childhood homes and cathedral of Santo Niño de Atocha.

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Above all, Bertha was a devout Catholic, and her faith defined her life. She was a proud and faithful member of The Guadalupanas of 24 years as well as Minister of Communion for the Cathedral Shrine Of The Virgin Guadalupe. She also enjoyed her time as a cook for visiting seminaries at Casa Juan Diego. As a devoted member, she proudly created and furnished the Baptismal bibs for the children of the church for many decades. One of the highlights of her life was her service as a Lector, a position for which she was immensely proud. She is preceded in death by her parents, Faustino and Rosa Maria Colli; and sisters, Rosa Hipo and Tonchi Sanguino. She is survived by her daughters, Sandra Morones, Delia Saldaña, Lourdes Jaramillo, Gladys Skinner, and Soraya Quiroga; son-in-laws Joseph Morones, Arturo Saldaña, Alfonso Jaramillo, and Jeff Skinner as well as 11 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren 3 great-great-grandchildren, as well as countless friends and neighbors.