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MemoryIN LOVINGBLIGENBLIGENBLIGENJune 13, 2026SUNSETSUNRISESEPTEMBER 22 ,1959Loved "Every day I wake up is a blessing."FOREVERCelebrationBerthaBerthaBertha SUNDAY JULY 19, 2026 @ 2PM “EVERY DAY I WAKE UP IS A BLESSING.”IN LOVINGIN LOVINGMemoryMemory 506 S. Frederick Avenue Gaithersburg, MD 20877 Activity Center at Boher ParkForever in our hearts. Forever in our memories. Forever loved. Guest Arrival & FellowshipGuest Arrival & FellowshipORDER OF Guests are invited to arrive, mingle, find their seats, and celebrate Bertha's life together. Welcome Opening Prayer A Reflection on Bertha's Early Life Sharing memories from Bertha's childhood, family, and the beginning of her journey. Meal & Fellowship Please enjoy a meal together as we celebrate Bertha's life and the joy she found in bringing family together. Celebrating Bertha’s Life A reading highlighting Bertha's passions, personality, family, and the legacy she leaves behind. Family Reflections Closing Words & Prayer Guests are invited to join the family outside immediately following the closing remarks for a butterfly release in honor and loving memory of Bertha. Family Reflections Closing Words & Prayer A Final Tribute – Butterfly Release Guests are invited to join the family outside immediately following the closing remarks for a butterfly release in honor and loving memory of Bertha. Guests are invited to join the family outside immediately following the closing remarks for a butterfly release in honor and loving memory of Bertha. Continued Fellowship Following the butterfly release, we invite everyone to continue sharing memories, visiting with family and friends, and celebrating Bertha's beautiful life.ORDER OFORDER OFCelebrationCelebration Guests are invited to arrive, mingle, find their seats, and celebrate Bertha's life together. Guests are invited to arrive, mingle, find their seats, and celebrate Bertha's life together. Sharing memories from Bertha's childhood, family, and the beginning of her journey. Sharing memories from Bertha's childhood, family, and the beginning of her journey. A Reflection on Bertha's Early Life Meal & Fellowship Please enjoy a meal together as we celebrate Bertha's life and the joy she found in bringing family together. Please enjoy a meal together as we celebrate Bertha's life and the joy she found in bringing family together. Please enjoy a meal together as we celebrate Bertha's life and the joy she found in bringing family together. Celebrating Bertha’s Life A reading highlighting Bertha's passions, personality, family, and the legacy she leaves behind. A reading highlighting Bertha's passions, personality, family, and the legacy she leaves behind. A Final Tribute – Butterfly Release Continued Fellowship Following the butterfly release, we invite everyone to continue sharing memories, visiting with family and friends, and celebrating Bertha's beautiful life.
A LIFE WELL LIVED A LEGACYRememberedBertha Larthea Bligen Bertha Larthea Bligen, born Bertha Larthea Jackson, peacefully departed this life on June 13, 2026, at Frederick Health Hospital. Though our hearts are heavy with sorrow, we celebrate a life rooted in love, resilience, laughter, and unwavering devotion to family. Bertha was born on September 22, 1959, at Freedmen's Hospital in Washington, D.C., to the late Mary Elizabeth Jackson and Ermine H. Jackson. She was the third oldest of seven children and the oldest daughter. Raised on Todd Place in Northeast Washington, D.C., she naturally became a protector and caretaker to her younger siblings, who fondly remembered how she lovingly 'bossed' them around while always looking out for them. She attended Emory Elementary School, Langley Middle School, and McKinley Technical High School. Some of her favorite childhood memories were made on 'Catholic Hill,' where she and her siblings celebrated the Fourth of July with fireworks, picked blueberries together, and created lifelong memories. Bertha found joy in life's simple pleasures. Prince was her favorite artist, purple was her favorite color, and she loved attending concerts at the old Capital Centre. She enjoyed watching Star Trek, visiting the casino, relaxing at the beach, and never passed up an opportunity to play bingo. Her beloved bingo bag became one of her trademarks. She also loved crocheting and knitting and enjoyed creating things with her hands. Bertha had a creative eye and loved adding rhinestones to her sandals, stylus pens, and accessories, always finding a way to add a little sparkle to everyday items. She also loved shopping and enjoyed surrounding herself with the things that brought her joy, always finding another special treasure to bring home. Anyone who knew Bertha knew she loved conversation. She could spend hours on the phone catching up with family and friends, sharing stories, laughing, and enjoying a little gossip. She also expressed her love through food, enjoying baking cakes, frying chicken, seafood—especially Red Lobster—and her famous large 7-Eleven cup filled with ice. Above all else, Bertha's greatest joy was her family. Nothing made her prouder than being a mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. Her seven beloved grandchildren and one cherished great-grandchild were the light of her life. Thanksgiving and Christmas were especially meaningful because they brought everyone together around food, laughter, and love. Bertha leaves to cherish her memory her loving children, Vanessa, Alexis, Natasha, Derrick, and Danielle; seven beloved grandchildren; one cherished great-grandchild; her siblings Teresa Jackson, Timothy Jackson-White Sr., Gregory Jackson, and Ermine “Junie” Jackson Jr.; along with a host of nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family members, and dear friends. She was preceded in death by her beloved parents, Mary Elizabeth Jackson and Ermine H. Jackson, and her siblings Diana Jackson and Nathan Davis. Bertha's legacy lives on through the love she poured into her family, the strength she showed through life's challenges, and the memories she leaves behind. As she often reminded us, 'Every day I wake up is a blessing.' May we honor her memory by living each day with gratitude and loving our families deeply. The family of Bertha Larthea Bligen sincerely thanks everyone for the prayers, love, support, phone calls, visits, flowers, meals, and every act of kindness shown during this difficult time. Your compassion, encouragement, and presence have brought us comfort beyond words. Thank you for celebrating Bertha's life and for surrounding our family with so much love. Acknowledgements