Bertha Petry, of Santa Fe, was taken home by the angels on Dec. 10, 2020, while visiting her daughter Kathy, in Las Cruces, N.M.
Bertha was often described as a kind, gentle woman. She was welcoming, forgiving, playful and sweet and will be missed by so many.
She was born Maria Bersabe Alberico to Olivama Moya and Fidel Alberico in Pagosa Junction, Colo., on Sept. 7, 1931. She was the eldest of three children. She was predeceased by her brother, Ralph Alberico (Esther), and is survived by her brother Fidel Alberico (Gloria). She grew up in Pagosa Springs, Colo., where she met her first husband, Antonio Ochova and had a son, Tony. They divorced soon after. She met Leo Petry and they were married in 1953. They moved to Santa Fe in 1964. They had eight children. After Tony (Connie) came Kathy Peerman (Steve), Lee (Sharon), Lynn, Larry (Rose), Karen Drysdale (Charlie), Louis (Brenda), Leo Jr. and Lonnie (Lucy). She was preceded in death by Tony, Lynn, Leo Jr. and Lonnie.
She leaves behind numerous grandchildren, step-grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Bertha worked most of her life as a waitress in many restaurants in Pagosa Springs and Santa Fe. One of her memorable customers was Robert Oppenheimer. He would ask for her at the Plaza Cafe. In 2016, she was able to meet President Obama and Vice President Biden when her grandson, Leroy Petry, received the Medal of Honor.
Bertha often returned to Pagosa Springs to visit her old friends.
Bertha was buried with her husband, Leo (died 2010), and her son, Leo Jr., on Sept. 7, at the National Cemetery in Santa Fe.
