Berta Cormane — beloved mother, grandma and great-grandma “Tata” — went with her Lord and Savior in the early afternoon on Nov. 15, 2023. Her beloved parakeets (Micki and Mini) had been quiet a few days, including earlier and during the day she died.
Berta passed quietly, from natural causes, in her cozy home in St George, Utah, with her daughter Sheila, and son Charles present and sister Lourdes via long distance. Berta had been under Hospice care at home the last 12 months.
Berta Armella was born in Barranquilla, Colombia, South America, on Sept. 13, 1927, to Manuel Armella and Maria Luisa Perez. Berta’s dad (Manuel) was Chief of Police in the District of the Atlantic (in Colombia). Berta’s mom was a stay-at-home mom. Berta was left an orphan at the age of 7 as a result of her parents’ passing at a young age. This experience helped shape Berta’s character of strong will, determination, family and to never give up.
Berta was then raised by her Aunt Leticia in the town of Santa Marta, about 2 hours from Barranquilla. In the 1930s Santa Marta was a small, sleepy coastal town near the Caribbean Sea. With very little industry in this town, residents enjoyed a humble upbringing with leisure walks by the beach and enjoying good local seafood. To this day the grandchildren still enjoy Tata’s delicious Spanish cuisine of coconut rice, arepas, torta de platano and sancochos. In school, Berta excelled in the arts and literature. Berta was quite an artist and her penmanship was one of the most beautiful you have ever seen.
In December 1949, Berta married Fernando Cormane and they raised Sheila, Charles and Lourdes. Berta’s only husband died in December 1986 (Boulder, Colorado) and she remained a widow until her death.
Destiny took Berta and Fernando to New York City in 1964 as emigrants where they taught us the values of hard work and getting and education. Berta worked in the garment industry in NYC and there was clothing she could not fix or create new. Since neither Dad nor Mom knew how to drive nor owned a car. They showed that walking and using mass transportation are not bad at all. Berta’s physical activity contributed to her healthy longevity.
In 1981, Berta and Dad retired in Boulder, Colorado, where they spent many happy years enjoying the beautiful mountains, visiting the many parks in this gorgeous state, and helping raise six grandchildren.
As Mom’s older years became apparent, she grew tired of the cold Colorado winters and with her daughter Sheila, Berta moved to St George, Utah, where she enjoyed the mild winters, the beautiful desert scenery of Utah and her comfortable home with her beautiful rose garden.
Berta converted in the 1980s to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Her quiet testimony of Jesus Christ is very dear to her. She was very active in the church and loved her callings in the primary.
Berta was preceded in death by her husband Fernando in 1986. Berta is survived by her daughter Sheila Rincon (Hector), son Charles, daughter, Lourdes Kouzougian (Ara, deceased); grandchildren Andre Rincon (Karenina), Maurice Rincon (Brooke), Daniel Rincon (Lisa); David Cormane, Evan Cormane (Maria) and Kayla Kouzougian (Dakota David); great-grandchildren Bianca and Clara; Marcus and Ella.
The greatest gift she gave in life is faith in God and to never give up.
Berta’s wish was to be cremated. There will be a private family gathering in early 2024. In lieu of flowers, make donations to Applegate HomeCare and Hospice, 292 S 1470 East, #101, St George, UT 84790
Arrangements are under the direction of Hughes Mortuary.