Bertha (Gataveckas) Gaigalas Obituary
With a heavy heart we announce the sudden passing of Bert who was the loving wife for over 40 years to Ed. She was also his partner and best friend.
Bert was a mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She is survived by sons Danny (Diane) and Desi (Katie), grandchildren Alyssia, Christian, Cassidy and great granddaughter Madison. She is remembered fondly by her brothers and sisters, Terri, Tony, Eddie and Villy.
Bert was born in Germany and at a young age immigrated to Canada with her mother. Bert had a number of occupations but found her calling in the health care field. She worked at the Youthdale Treatment Centers and then the balance of her Career at St Joseph's Health Centre in Toronto until she retired.
She was a devoted daughter and spent much of her time caring for her parents until they passed away.
When it came to family, grandkids, and her great granddaughter, there was no higher priority. This is where Bert truly found her joy and she never missed the opportunity to mention how proud she was.
Bert made friends easily and always had the time to talk and laugh with anyone that she met. Over the past few years, she made a circle of friends at the Dialysis Unit at St Joseph's Health Center. She would share recipes with them and even brought in baked goods for them to enjoy.
As a child, Bert had ambitions of becoming a writer and a journalist. Although that wasn't to be her career, her love of books and reading never left her. Bert continued to devour books, especially being drawn to biographies.
Another passion of Bert's that was shared with her husband Ed was travelling. Often, tickets were purchased spontaneously and bags were packed quickly for their next adventure. She was also able to visit Lithuania, the ancestral home of her parents, a number of times.
Since the creation of the iPad her ability to talk to friends and family across the globe made her heart glow. You would often hear her chatting away, laughing and enjoying light-hearted conversations with everyone.
Our hearts are broken and we will forever remember the love, sincerity and kindness we experienced from our dear Bert. She will forever be in our hearts, always in our memories and greatly missed.
Friends may visit Turner & Porter Yorke Chapel, 2357 Bloor Street West, Toronto Ontario, on Sunday, February 6 2022 from 4:00 -7:00 p.m. Funeral Mass will be held at Lithuanian Martyrs Church, 2185 Stavebank Rd., Mississauga on Monday, February 7, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. Interment to follow at St John's Lithuanian Cemetery.
Due to Covid restrictions you must register to attend both the visitation and service. To register please use the "To Register, Click Here" button below, or call (416) 767 – 3153.
A celebration of Bert's life will be held in the spring, (date to be announced.).
