Obituary of Bertha Carr

Bertha F Carr passed away peacefully on Sunday, February 3, 2008 after a brief illness, at the age of 89. Bert was born near Assiniboia, Saskatchewan in 1918. As the second oldest of 10 children, she spent much of her childhood, including the years of the Great Depression, on the family homestead helping with the running of the family and the farm. During this time, she developed a life-long interest in the natural world. In 1937, after attending Normal School in Regina, she returned to the Assiniboia area to teach in a series of one-room schools, whose student population included several of her younger siblings. In 1944 she and her sister Ruth headed east to join the war effort. After training at the Montreal Wireless School, she served overseas in the RCAF Women’s Division doing air traffic control at Linton Air Base in England. When she returned she attended the University of Alberta, graduating in 1948 with a BSc in Geology. This led to work at the Alberta Oil and Gas Conservation Board where she met John Carr, her future husband, who had a strong interest in geology and entomology. His interest in insects, specifically beetles, meshed with Bert’s interest in the natural world, and forged the foundation of their life together. They spent many extended summers traveling North America, collecting, cataloging and identifying beetles, and her teaching experience proved invaluable as a stream of professional, amateur and student entomologists passed through their house, seeking information and education. When Bert and John were physically unable to continue with the collection, it was donated to the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arthropods and Nematodes in Ottawa, ON. Apart from her interest in beetles, she also enjoyed an eclectic set of hobbies, from antiques to bridge to photography, which was reflected in the home decor. After 2000, much of her time was spent caring for John who was disabled due to a lengthy illness. Bert is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Richard and Bonnie, Doug and Margo (Glover), a birth daughter Margot Lowe, four grandchildren, two brothers and three sisters, and a legacy of entomological knowledge based on a collection of several hundred thousand beetles and passed down to the next generations of entomologists. Bert was predeceased by her husband of 57 years At the family’s request there will be no services held. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com. To continue with her interest in the natural world and mentoring equally interested acolytes, the family requests that memorial tributes be made directly to the Canacoll Foundation (K.W. Neatby Building, 960 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0C6) or a nature, science, or education based charity of the donor’s choice. The family wishes to thank the doctors and staff of Unit 46 at Foothills Medical Center; Dr. Linda Fong for extraordinary care and compassion; the staff of The Residence at Colonel Belcher; the Colonel Belcher cafeteria staff where many a muffin was consumed, and especially to long time helper Lindi Rempel for her friendly cajoling and assistance over the past seven years. In living memory of Bertha Carr, a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES, Crowfoot Chapel, 82 CROWFOOT CIRCLE N.W. Telephone: (403) 241-0044.