Idalia Bertke

Dally, 75, was born in Naguabo, Humacao, Puerto Rico, into a family of nine – eight sisters and one brother. Naguabo is on the eastern slopes of the El Junque Rain Forest in Puerto Rico and her growing up home was along the shores of Rio Blanco, one of the main rivers fed by the rain forest. She moved to Florida in 1965 upon marrying Roy Bertke, then a US Navy Communications Intelligence technician in Sabana Seca, Puerto Rico.

Dally, known as Lita, to her grandchildren, touched many, many lives over the years in greatly positive ways through her engaging personality, boundless energy, deep involvement in volunteer activities and passionate service to the lord in so many ways. She leaves a legacy of love and caring for her family, church and community, and for just about anyone she met over the years. She was a beautiful, unique person.

She was a teacher, worker, encourager, supporter, and incredible wife, mother, grandmother and friend.

Besides teaching bible classes, she was a tireless and many year worker in the Countryside Baptist Church Clothes Closet which serves the poor and needy. She also served many committees at the church. She was a volunteer for Random Acts of Flowers which turns the unsold flowers at supermarkets into small bouquets which are distributed to patients in hospitals, nursing homes and rehab centers who have no relatives or friends to visit them. She was also a tireless Hispanic translator in both the Clearwater community food bank and Calvary Church food bank. As the children were growing, she was always volunteering in the public school system, including serving as president of PTAs twice. She taught Spanish in a private school for several years.

Dally and Roy met in early 1964 at a USO dance in Puerto Rico, fell in love and married in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico on June 12, 1965.

She leaves behind her husband of 53 years, Roy; three children, Ron of Encino, CA, Jeanne Cody of Bradenton, FL, and Susie Merola of Land o’ Lakes, FL; seven grandchildren, Peyton, Ryan, Jake, Cameron and Gracie Cody of Bradenton; Samantha and Jordan Merola of Land o’ Lakes; four sisters, Tita of Carolina, Puerto Rico, Nellie of Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico, Lydia of Fleming Island, FL and Monin of Orlando.

There will be a Celebration of Life service on Saturday, Feb. 16, at 11 am, at her church, Countryside Baptist Church, 2525 North McMullen Booth Rd, Clearwater, Fl 33761.

The family requests that in lieu of flowers those who wish may make contributions to either the Countryside Church Clothes Closet at the above address; or, to Random Acts of Flowers, 564 Frederica Lane, Unit A, Dunedin, Fl 34698; or, to a charity of choice.