(Bertha) Alice King

Bertha Alice King (nee Minton) was born in Trail, BC on March 10, 1937 and passed away in the loving presence of family and friends at 11:11pm, September 12, 2026. Thanks to the eternal care by the nurses and doctors at the Royal Jubilee Hospital, she left peacefully and in a bed of red roses.

Predeceased by her loving husband, Peter King, her mother Nellie Cuckovich, stepfather Tudor, and sister June Oberg; she leaves behind her sons Roderick (Cari), Lee (Maureen), her daughter, Jane Victoria along with her grandchildren: Kyle (Alexandria, Stevie and Ziggy), Chiara & Salem, Geoffrey and Jennifer (Ben & Brighid) and many other friends and family worldwide.

A proud senior, although she confessed to being a “junior” at it, she stayed home till her mobility failed her at 89. She lived her way, on her terms. With the incredible support from her loving cousin Shari, and a host of caregivers and friends that walked through her door.

Alice was a force. Her heart filled the room and she shared it with everyone. She couldn’t stop giving. Before entering the hospital, she directed that pomegranates be prepared for her upcoming great granddaughter’s fourth birthday. She always thought about everyone with an imaginative and special gift, straight from her heart.

For years an avid daily newspaper reader, eventually going to digital, at 89 she thrived with text messaging as her hearing had weakened. She sent daily inspirational messages, tuning into your day, keeping up with your life and connecting you with others. Sharing and caring. She took the photos when no one else did, or videotaped you dancing when you weren’t watching.

She loved lipstick and caviar and her morning coffee, gracefully served on a silver tray by her loving and devoted friend and neighbour, Linda.

Mum never left home without looking outstanding. A bright lipstick, a proper hat and elegant strands of jewellery. She wore the air. Chin up and proud. Not afraid to stand out, she used to say, “What makes you think you’re so important, everyone is going to look at you?”

She was the Matriarch of Hochelaga on Rockland. Sitting in her grand living room in her golden wing back chair, her gift was her “counsel.” With a listening ear and an inquisitive mind, she made all who visited feel heard. No matter your walk in life.

“Something can be done about everything,” she would say. Letting you leave without a worry.

Mum loved the ocean and adventure and cherished her country drives, buying local produce, and visiting the majestic gardens of Government House, the University of Victoria and Royal Roads University.

A retired Psychiatric Nurse during the psychedelic era, mum attended to many at the private Hollywood Hospital. A graduate of St Joseph's School of Nursing in Victoria, she also worked at the Essondale Mental Health Hospital at Riverview in Vancouver.

Later, enrolled in Emily Carr University she was also an artist. Her creativity flourished as evidenced in her patio garden sanctuary, along with her lavish displays of food and flowers and her photo cards.

She loved reading, writing, art, music, flowers, dancing, singing, photography and creating connections with vivacious dinner parties and epic Christmas Eve gatherings no one would soon forget. Deep conversations into the night poured on by bottles of red wine, cheese and crackers. Celebrating food and friendships.

She will especially be remembered for her perfectly flat pancakes and endless chess games with her grand kids.

Family mattered most, just to be together she used to say. Making sure Christmas and Thanksgiving were celebrated with everyone around the table.

But her family extended beyond. She was devoted to her weekly meditation group, opening up her home to everyone. She was also a Master of Reiki, noticeable in her big warm bear hugs. The ones you don’t forget.

We grew up playing outside until Mum rang the bell from the front porch. Loud and clear. Time to go home.

There’s always a Plan B she would say, if things didn’t work out your way and always treat meanness with kindness.

On birthdays we received breakfast in bed on a silver tray with pancakes and fresh fruit, a birthday candle and a flower. Christmas mornings we’d wake up to a stocking silently placed sometime in the night, at the end of our bed. Filled with gifts, mandarin oranges, and jube jubes stacked at the bottom.

One of her closest friends, Mimi, shared a proverb she cherished. “Friendships are flowers in life’s garden.”

Mum was the pillar that held the family up. Throughout everything. Dad passed at age 77. But Mum kept us connected with food, wine, and love. Eventually, spanning her wings she travelled the world visiting the Pyramids, France and her treasured Mary Magdalene along with the Mengo Hospital in Uganda. To which she devoted much of her time to fundraising through gourmet dinner events.

At home, venturing out on her own, she enjoyed her Turkey Head walkway strolls when she could. People watching, talking to strangers. Everyone was an open book for her curious mind.

“One day at a time and everyone has their journey,” she would say and “everything happens for a reason, you won’t realize it now, but you will later.”

In her afterlife she sent a special message:

“Do not spend time worrying. Seize the moment and live your life fully.”

Light a candle in memory of mum. Visit a garden, listen to a stranger. Be curious. Open your door to love. Have a grand Christmas Eve Party and invite all your neighbours. That’s what mum would do.