She just radiated love and joy. She was loved by all; the sweetest woman in the world.
This is how Sue Redding remembers Bertha Champagne. Redding knew Champagne from Belle Haven Country Club, where she worked coordinating children's activities and working events for 17 years. And then, for the past year, Champagne was under the care of Sue's husband, Dr. Richard Redding, for the treatment of her diabetes. The treatment had been so effective that her diabetes was significantly abated; in the end, however, it was a tragic accident that took her life.
Bertha Champagne was killed Monday, September 29, around 9 p.m., when she was pinned between a rolling car and a building.
Those who knew her remember her with fondness.
Richard Davis, general manager for Belle Haven Country Club, said, "She made people feel welcome. A florist once told me, 'I could never forget Bertha; she made me feel like a member here.' She was friendly and outgoing; she always had a big smile, and a hello and a good-bye."
Redding said, "Belle Haven was her stage; the people there loved her and she loved them."
"Everybody knew Bertha," said Davis.
DR. JOHN BRUNO, orthopedic doctor who treated Champagne, said, "There are just so many things about her. Certainly she was the prototypical Hispanic earth mother, a real champion for her family and her community."
Bruno said that he reserved time in the office for her, and anyone in her family, or anyone she knew who worked at Belle Haven who needed care, (or anyone who thought they might know her), because she would see to it that they would get cared for.
"God bless this person who helped with so many of the area's children and did so with love," said Bruno, who shared the same birth date (and year) with Champagne.
They were both born on November 20, 1942, and Bruno said that he and Champagne laughed when they both learned the dates were the same.
"She had that special quality — she made each person feel as if they were the most important person around," said Bruno, who went with his wife, Susan, to Belle Haven a few days after her burial just to talk to the staff.
"The impact of her life on so many people was obvious. In fact it is safe to say wherever she went there will be a lasting void."
Champagne not only worked long hours at Belle Haven, but she also watched people's children, cared for their pets and watched over their homes.
One of the families she cared for was the Bush family: Margaret and Marvin and their two children, Marshall and Walker. It was in front of their home where the tragic accident happened.
Margaret Bush said, "It was a horrible accident. We don't know exactly what happened. She went to her car to get something and then it happened."
BUSH REMEMBERS Champagne fondly. "She was a member of the family after 12 years. There was a great deal of love and loyalty," said Bush. "She helped me in a variety of ways; often she would work at Belle Haven until 8, and then come over to watch the kids. She was always the one who would fill in babysitting, watching the dogs. We're very grateful how dearly she cared for us."
Michele Irby was another of the many Belle Haven residents whose children Champagne had cared for over the years.
Irby said, "I thought she was an angel on earth. She loved everyone; she touched hundreds of children of all ages. Her hugs were so genuine. She was so lovable. She was a member of all of our families; it will not be the same [without her]."
Champagne also cared for Jan Routh's children and Routh said, "She was purely good. Bertha had her arms open to everybody. She never forgot the name or face, particularly of a child, even if it was 15 years later they were all grown up. We loved her and we will miss her. She was a very special person and Iím glad my kids got to know her."