Mary Louise Bertilson

Mary Louise Bertilson, 71, passed away peacefully in her home on Aug. 31, 2014.

Services will be held on Monday, Sept. 8, with a rosary at 9:30 a.m., followed by mass at 10 a.m. at Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church. Inurnment will follow the services at Mountain View Cemetery. Arrangements are under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Mary Louise was born in Bridgeport, Conn., on Jan. 6, 1943, to parents John and Helen Balascak.

She married Gerald Bertilson, an Air Force man, and bore two beloved children while they were stationed in Bangor, Ma. From there, her family traveled and spent eleven years assigned between Torrejon (Madrid) and Zaragoza, Spain, with a one-year stint in between in Texas. Her family returned to Connecticut in 1975.

Her intelligence, enthusiasm, and quick wit landed her a number of positions in sales. She retired as a sales manager with a major chemical corporation, to volunteer for the honor of becoming the full-time caretaker for both her mother and father until their passing several years later.

In 2008, Mary Louise decided to move to Idaho to be near her daughter. She lived only five houses away (200 paces), but she still drove her car between houses to enjoy the closeness. If you knew her, you would know that she refused to drive on any interstate highway, but any other surface road was fair game.

She fell in love with Idaho, most especially the people of Mountain Home, and all who knew her returned the sentiment.

Mary Louise was a devout Roman Catholic, with an unwavering faith and love in our Lord. She treasured her family and friends, especially the women from Mother Cabrini Sodality, her Idaho "sisters," and her neighbors, who also became family to her.

She was a wonderful woman with a beautiful heart and soul. Her laughter and upbeat personality was contagious. She would burst into song at any moment, would cheerfully plant silk flowers outside her home for pops of color, and was extremely kind and compassionate to everyone she came in contact with. Many friends and, most especially, her family will miss her enthusiasm and spirit. She will not be forgotten.

Mary Louise was an adored wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend.

She is survived in Idaho by her son, John Bertilson (Claudia Brandes); her daughter, Elise Mathias (Richard Brooks); grandson Benjamin Mathias (Naomi); granddaughters Turandot and Giaida Brandes; great-granddaughter Katelynn Mathias; and family in Connecticut and Pennsylvania.