12/07/2025
The Town & Country Garden Club recently lost a true friend and icon. Bertha Pelkonen passed away at an enviable 100 years young! True fact: Gardeners have long life expectancies, and Bertha was an example of that. Her love of gardening was infectious and she shared her tips and tricks regularly with members. She was proud of her garden, a constant labor of love. We were blessed to have Bertha as a long-time member, keeping us between the white lines as our parliamentarian in the end. Bertha had a dry sense of humor and was just plain fun to be around. Always up for a good time, Bertha ziplined in Costa Rica when she was 80 years young!! Bertha was a true treasure and we are all better for having known her. We will miss her.
Bertha became involved in the Town and Country Garden Club of
Lake Worth Beach, joining in 1984 when the club met in ‘Circles’ at member’s homes. These Circles joined to become the Town and Country Garden Club to promote the love of gardening,
environmental stewardship, education and community beautification. In her 40 years of service, Bertha served in many club positions, including president multiple times and parliamentarian. As a member of the Ways and Means committee she helped organize fundraising events like the Garden Club’s Annual Fashion Show and Luncheon and fundraising card parties. She
participated in many Arbor Day tree planting events and the Club’s work with local elementary students establishing garden boxes to teach them skills and an appreciation of planting and growing. With her husband being a proud World War II veteran, she was passionate about the Club’s sponsorship of the City of Lake Worth Beach’s Constitution Park and annual Memorial Day observance. She organized the Memorial Day Service for years on behalf of the Garden Club. Her daughter Kristine Pelkonen Wilson continues that in partnership with the Club in honor of her father and mother.
Thank you Bertha! XOXO
Obituary: https://www.bfhlantana.com/obituary/bertha-t.-pelkonen