BERTHA MARGUERITE WHITCROFT (nee STIMSON)

February 18, 2026

Bertha Marguerite Whitcroft (née Stimson) of Lucknow died at Pinecrest Manor, Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2026, at the age of 97. She was born Sept. 14, 1928, at the family farmhouse on the 4th Concession of Kinloss Township. Lovingly remembered by her son, David Lougheed, and daughter-in-law, Sally, of Grafton; her daughter, Margaret Ann Whitcroft, of St. Marys; and her son, Michael Whitcroft (Linda Sharpin) of Lucknow. Also survived by her granddaughter, Nicole Magnish, of Sarnia; her grandson, Matthew Rogers, and his wife, Natalie, and her great-grandchildren, Alice and Xavier, all of Arnaud, Manitoba; and her niece, Mary Sommers (Tim), of Kitchener. Predeceased by her parents, Margaret Ann (MacKenzie) and William Stimson; and her brothers, Calvin, William, and Donald. After graduating high school in the late 1940s, Bertha attended secretarial school in Toronto and began her career with Davis and Henderson, serving as secretary to the president. Following the death of her mother, she returned to Lucknow to care for her father. Over the years, she was a Brownie leader in Lucknow, a member of the Lucknow Legion Ladies' Auxiliary, worked at the Log Cabin Restaurant as a waitress, and later held office manager positions at the Lucknow Furniture Factory and Silverwood’s Ice Cream and Butter Manufacturing in Lucknow. She retired after 28 years as clerk-treasurer of the Village of Lucknow. Bertha never asked for much in life beyond the happiness of her family. She worked tirelessly, both during the day and after hours, to ensure her family felt loved and cared for, making the most of what they had each day. She supported her children in all of their endeavours and was highly respected in the community for her integrity, professionalism, and dedication. In keeping with her wishes, Bertha will be cremated and laid to rest at South Kinloss Cemetery. A Celebration of Life will be held in the spring; arrangements entrusted to the MacKenzie and McCreath Funeral Home, Lucknow; www.mackenzieandmccreath.com.