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Born:
Passed: March 19, 2010
On March 19, 2010, Bertha Rosa O’How of Westlock passed away at the age of 76 years. A former resident of Slave Lake for many years, Birdie was born in Fulda, Saskatchewan as the sixth of 14 children of Mary and Joseph Bittman.
In 1933, the family moved to Faust when Birdie was an infant. She attended school there through Grade 9, when she left school to help at home with cooking and raising her younger brothers and sisters.
Her cooking expertise came in very handy when she worked at Powell’s restaurant, because it was there in the early 1950s that she caught the attention of Charles O’How when he came in for coffee and a piece of pie. The family lore has it that the pie impressed him so much he fell for the gal who made it.
Charlie and Birdie were married on Feb. 9, 1952. Four children followed: Ken, Lorraine, Judy and Kelly.
In the early 1960s the family moved to Slave Lake, where they lived up until Charlie and Birdie moved to Westlock four years ago. During that time, Birdie worked for many years at the local post office, also spending time working at the McLeod’s store and Granny’s Kitchen. It was at the restaurant she gained a reputation for her homemade soups and taught the local baker how to make lemon meringue pies from scratch.
Birdie was an active member of the Legion Ladies’ Auxiliary for many years; other activities included floor curling, camping, sewing, playing cards, crocheting and various other crafts.
Birdie loved to dance and no matter where they were, she and Charlie would have a dance when a good tune was playing.
In 2008 Birdie was diagnosed with Lou Gehrig’s disease. She passed away peacefully in her sleep on Mar. 19, 2010.
Birdie O’How is survived by her husband Charles and their children Ken (Debra) of Slave Lake, Lorraine (Mike) Lyons of Slave Lake, Judy (Dale) Conrad of Edmonton, Kelly (Kim) of Westlock, 10 grandchildren, six great-grandchildren, six brothers and four sisters as well as numerous other relatives. She was predeceased by parents Joseph and Mary Bittman and brothers Henry, Edward and Alfred.
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