DENVER - Bertha Pitcher Greaves, 91, of Centennial, Colo., former Preston Idaho resident, died at home May 20, 2009, from complications of pneumonia.

Bertha was born March 8, 1918, in Cornish, Utah, to John William and Mary Clarissa Thornley Pitcher.

She graduated from North Cache High School in 1936. Bertha attended Utah State Agricultural College with a three-year normal degree in elementary education in 1939; with a B.A. in 1951; and an M.A. in education in 1955. Her master's thesis "Public Relations for Schools" was required reading in the public relations class for many years. She taught elementary school in Cornish, Utah, for one year.

Bertha married Melvin J. Greaves, from Preston, Idaho, on July 2, 1940, in the Salt Lake LDS Temple.

While her husband was away to Panama during World War II, Bertha lived in Preston, Idaho, and could be seen uptown selling war bonds in a playhouse. Bertha has lived in Cornish, Utah; Logan, Utah; Preston, Idaho; Bethlehem, Pa.; Pittsburgh, Pa.; Cleveland, Ohio; and Denver, Colo. She traveled throughout the United States, as well as to Denmark, Argentina, Italy, Brazil, Korea, Greece, the Holy Land, India, Thailand, Japan, Hong Kong, New Zealand, and Australia. Bertha had a love of flowers and her garden was always flooded with beautiful blossoms nourished by her tender care. She brought fresh floral arrangements to church for nearly 50 years. She was an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served in many roles at church, in the Sunday School, MIA, Primary and Relief Society. For nearly twenty years, she served as the welfare specialist, writing articles and tips for ward members. Bertha served as the president of the Civil Engineering Wives and as president of the Mechanical Engineers Auxiliary in Cleveland, and twice as president of Friendship Gardeners in Denver. She is a published author, with several articles about gardening. She generously shared her time and talents in serving her family, friends, church and community throughout her life. She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, aunt, neighbor and friend.

She is survived by her sons, Melvin Jr. (Dianne) of Centennial, Colo.; Thomas W. (Vylee) of Encinitas, Calif.; daughter, Janet (Eric) Smith of Phoenix, Ariz.; 14 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren; as well in-laws, Carol and Wayne Brown, of Preston, Idaho, and Verna Aldous of Portola Valley, Calif.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Melvin J. Greaves; her parents, John William and Mary Clarissa Thornley Pitcher; and by her 11 brothers and sisters: Margaret Petersen, Cyril Pitcher, Harvey Pitcher, Phoebe Boman, Mozell Boman, Deconn Pitcher, Brown Pitcher, Melvin Pitcher, Bessie Last, Vaudice Boman, and Valden Pitcher.

Funeral services will be held at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 23, 2009, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 7th Ward Chapel at 155 N. 200 West in Preston, Idaho. Friends and family may call from 10 to 11 a.m. Saturday at the church. Interment will be in the Preston Cemetery. A memorial service will be held in the Denver area at 11 a.m. Saturday, May 30, 2009, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, at the Colorado Building, 8150 S. Colorado Blvd., Centennial, Colo. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.webbmortuary.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Webb Funeral Home in Preston.


22883
Last Name: Greaves
First Name: Bertha Pitcher
Age: 91
Gender: F
Cemetery: Preston, Idaho
Birth Date: 8 Mar 1918
Birth Place: Cornish, Utah
Date Died: 20 May 2009
Death Place: Centennial, Colorado
Father: John William Pitcher
Mother: Mary Clarissa Thornley
Spouse: Melvin J. Greaves, md 2 Jul 1940, Salt Lake City, Utah LDS Temple. Died.
Sources: The Herald Journal, Logan, Utah, 21 May 2009.
Remarks: Complications of pneumonia. Memorial service in Centennial, Colorado. Webb Funeral Home, Preston, Idaho.