Bertha Oviedo

Bertha Cecilia (Chila) Oviedo was born in Pradera, Colombia on April 23, 1939, to Marco Tulio Oviedo and Nury Gutierrez. Unfortunately, Bertha Cecilia’s mother passed away when she was only 10 years old. Bertha at the age of 10 years old took on the responsibility of taking care of her little brother, Oscar Marino, while her father worked as a school teacher. Bertha learned to take care of the household by cooking, sewing, and cleaning. 

After many years of courtship, Absalon Gomez Patiño asked for Bertha Cecilia’s hand in marriage. On February 5, 1956, Absalon and Bertha were married in Cali Colombia. She had her first-born son, Harold, at the age of 18yrs old followed by Fabio, Alberto, and Oscar. In 1968, she had her baby girl, Janet. Bertha Cecila was a committed wife and mother, she poured everything she had into her family’s lives.

In 1963 Bertha and Absalon relocated to the United States. They moved with their four boys to Brooklyn, New York. Here Bertha and Absalon worked hard to move the family ahead. Absalon worked as an auto mechanic, and Bertha worked as a seamstress in the city. After being a homemaker and seamstress for so many years, Bertha then decided to study to get licensed as a real estate agent in NYC. Her efforts paid off and worked for Century 21 Real Estate in Queens, NY for several years. However, after moving to South Florida, her love for people eventually led her to going back to school and graduating as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA). She worked in elderly nursing facilities and worked with Alzheimer patients. Bertha always said that was her most rewarding job! She always bonded with her patients and treated them like family.

Bertha (Chila) had a real passion for life. She enjoyed doing many things, such as reading, swimming classes, cooking, listening to all kinds of music, dancing, and then of course spending time and laughing with family and friends.

Once Bertha retired, she moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL where she resided at the Federal Landings apartments, for over 20 years. Here she made many new friends and became the complex’s first Event Coordinator. She enjoyed planning parties, dances, and simple gatherings to unite people. It was her desire to make people feel cared for and made many opportunities for everyone to stay connected.

However, it was Bertha’s faith in God that provided a true testament of great hope, strength, and commitment to others. She remained true to all those around her. It was a life well lived, an exemplary life of what a true soldier in Christ is all about. Bertha “Chila” will be greatly missed, forever loved, and never forgotten. We look forward to seeing her again in heaven.

“Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” I Timothy 6:12  

Bertha is survived by her son Harold Gomez and his wife Ana from Farmers Branch, TX. Her grandchildren: Carlos, Eduardo, Yvette; great-grandchildren, Giana, Lelani, Sophia, Tony, Jade, and Matthew. Her son Fabio Gomez and his wife Dolly from Miami, FL, grandchildren: Marcelo, Fabian, Sabrina, Amanda; great-grandchildren Xavier, Elijah, Elisia; her son Alberto Gomez; grandchild: Stephanie, and great-grandchild Amaya; her son Oscar Gomez and his wife Dalia from Missouri City, TX; grandchildren: Marco, Angelica, Emily, and great-grandchildren Arianna and Jordan; and her daughter Janet Gomez; grandchildren: Jorge and Janelle from Miami, Florida.