FORT FAIRFIELD – Mrs. Bertha G. Milliard, 96, wife of the late Ranie J. Milliard, passed away Wednesday morning, Dec. 14, 2011, at her daughter’s Fort Fairfield residence, after an extended illness. She was born June 11, 1915, in Sigas, New Brunswick, daughter of Fortuna and Aurelie (Beaulieu) Gervais.
Mrs. Milliard was a lifelong resident of Fort Fairfield, where she attended local schools and was married to Ranie J. Milliard. She was a communicant of Parish of the Precious Blood, St. Denis Catholic Church, Fort Fairfield. For many years Mrs. Milliard was self-employed as a seamstress and also was employed for several years with A & P Processing Plant, Fort Fairfield. Mrs. Milliard was featured in the New York Times in an article outlining hospice care.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Milliard was predeceased by her husband, Ranie; five brothers, Clyde, John, Omar, Thomas and Leo Gervais; three sisters, Phyllis Scott, Dorothy Cote and Evelyn Cote; and two great-grandsons, Carl Robert Langley and Michael Brooker. She is survived by three sons and daughters-in-law, Robert and Bonnie Milliard of Fort Fairfield, Roger and Helen Milliard of Fort Fairfield, and Thomas and Susan Milliard of Collinsville, Conn.; one daughter, Maxine Brooker of Fort Fairfield; 16 grandchildren, 24 great-grandchildren, two great-great-grandchildren, several nieces and nephews; a special caregiver, Ruth Collins of Presque Isle; and the hospice team.
Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Friday, Dec. 16, at Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield, where a vigil service will be conducted 7:30 p.m. by the Rev. Aaron Damboise. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 17, at Parish of the Precious Blood, St. Denis Catholic Church, 147 Main St., Fort Fairfield, with the Rev. Aaron Damboise, celebrant. Spring interment will take place at St. Denis Catholic Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments will be held immediately after the funeral Mass at Veterans of Foreign Wars Paul Lockhart Post No. 6187, Presque Isle Street, Fort Fairfield. Those who wish may contribute in memory of Mrs. Milliard to Aroostook House of Comfort, P.O. Box 766, Presque Isle, ME 04769. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.