Berta Elva Gonzalez Harper

California, to her loving parents, Fernando Gonzalez Senior and Bertha Barbier-Gonzalez, on

December 26, 1950.

Bertha was a first-generation Mexican/Spanish-American, which she took pride in every day.

Bertha was a middle child with two brothers, one older, Fernando Gonzalez Junior, and a

younger brother, Mario Hector Gonzalez.

Bertha grew up mainly in Reseda, California.

Bertha was a beautiful child who loved to read, dance, and follow her Papa's every footstep; she

was a Daddy's girl.

In her childhood, she acted in movies and television shows such as Quincy and other numerous

parts as a movie extra.

When Bertha was 17, she married James Edward Harper Jr. and had two children: James Edward

Harper III and Christina Bertha Harper.

Bertha and James Jr. divorced in 1979.

Although the divorce was hard on her, she returned to school as an adult and got her high school

diploma at North Hollywood High, which was a huge accomplishment for her.

In 1993, Bertha moved to Santa Clarita and began a new chapter in her life.

She enjoyed living in Santa Clarita and being involved in the community.

Bertha began going by Berta (Bear, TAH) and ran for city council for Santa Clarita in 2008.

Although Berta did not win the election, she was proud that she had mustered up the courage to

run and took it as a sign to be involved behind closed doors and serve the people of Santa Clarita

in any way she could, like donating to small businesses and the local pet shelters to help lost pets

find their homes.

Berta was an avid pet lover and considered her dog babies part of her family just as much as her

children. Cinnamon, Ginger, Dodger, Ariel, Nicka, and Pepper had a special place within her

heart and home.

Berta lived the remainder of her life in Santa Clarita, developing close friendships that would last

a lifetime with Maria, Anna, and her trusted companion, who was always by her side, Bruce.

Berta was a grandmother of five: Celina Parra, Luevnia Wilson, Christina Wilson, Rosie Wilson,

and James Edward IV.

However, Berta also considered Danny Jr. and Hannah to be her grandchildren.

Berta was a great-grandmother of 12: Celina, Gabriel, Angell, Nyeilla, Gracey, Anthony, Mia,

Jaylah, Daniel Jr., Isabella, Samantha, and Adriel.

Berta was diagnosed with terminal plasma cell leukemia stage IV cancer on February 11, 2022.

Although the doctors initially gave her 3-6 months to live, she fought with everything she had

and even took experimental cancer treatments to lengthen her time with loved ones.

Berta died in her home in Santa Clarita on Sunday, July 21, 2024, with her loved ones and her

pet babies by her side as she wanted.

Berta lived a full life and loved being a mother, dog mother, grandma, and great-grandma, and

she loved her children equally.

Berta was a very strong-willed woman who knew exactly how she wanted things and how to find

a way to get things in order amid chaos.

Berta was a wonderful person filled with love, spunk, and joy. She will be missed and cherished

by those she left behind, including her family in Asturias, Spain, and here in the States.

Berta is preceded in death by her mother, Bertha, papa Fernando, son James III, grandchildren

James IV and Celina, great-grandchild Anthony, and her dog babies Ariel, Cinnamon, Nicka, and

Pepper.

A memorial service for Berta will be held Friday, August 9, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM at Joshua Mortuary Palmdale, 3150 E Palmdale Blvd., Palmdale, CA 93550.