Bertha V Jaramillo

Some people leave behind memories; others leave behind a piece of themselves in everyone they touched. On August 28, 2026, Bertha Verdugo Jaramillo was called home to be with the Lord, leaving behind a lifetime of love, cherished memories, and a family forever changed by her presence.

Bertha was born in Cananea, Sonora, on October 17, 1936, the eldest of five children born to Federico and Fidelia Verdugo. Her family moved to Bisbee in 1952, where she graduated from Bisbee High School. During her high school years, Bertha enjoyed singing and dancing at school and at home and was a member of the high school Glee Club.

In 1958, Bertha met Francisco Javier Jaramillo at an Easter dance. Their story began that evening, and they were married on August 22, 1959. Together they built a life centered around family and raised four children: Leticia, Javier Jr., Bobby, and Eddie.

Bertha and Javier moved to Tucson on Labor Day weekend in 1973. Bertha went on to dedicate nearly 30 years of her life to the Sunnyside School District. She began her career at Drexel Elementary School in the mid-1970s as a Teacher's Aide, during the early days of the district's Bilingual Education Program. She spent the final 18 years of her career as an Attendance Clerk at Sunnyside High School, retiring in 2004.

Bertha loved music, especially the songs and films of Pedro Infante. She enjoyed singing, dancing, watching her novelas, and cooking for the people she loved. Her faith and the Bible were also an important part of her life. But above all else, Bertha loved her family. To them, she was not simply Bertha, she was Nana, a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, and the heart of a family who will carry her memory with them always.

Bertha was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Fred. She is survived by her husband of 67 years, Javier; her children, Leticia (Larry) Clink, Javier Jr., Bobby, and Eddie (Nora); 10 grandchildren: Christina, Anthony, Maxx, Stephanie, Adriana, Roberto, Eric, Kevin, Justin and Franklin; 7 great-grandchildren: Dominik, Imari, Olivia, Aaron, Javi, Avery and Amir with one more on the way; her brothers Richard (Carmen) and Javier (Tina); her sister Norma (Bob) and Sister-in-law Carmen Verdugo; and many beloved nieces and nephews.

A Rosary will be held at Saint Monica Roman Catholic Parish Church, 212 W Medina Rd, Tucson, AZ 85756, US, on September 15, 2026, from 10:00 am to 10:30 am, followed by a Funeral Mass at the same location from 10:30 am to 11:30 am. A Graveside Service will take place at South Lawn Cemetery, 5401 S Park Ave, Tucson, AZ 85706, US, on September 15, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 12:30 pm.