Debra Good, 52

Wednesday, February 28, 2007

Debra Ann Bertschy Good, 52, of Mountain Home, died peacefully at home on Wednesday, Feb. 21, 2007.

A memorial service was held at 1 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 26, at Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel followed by inurnment at Mountain View Cemetery. Arrangements were under the direction of Rost Funeral Home, McMurtrey Chapel.

Debbie was born on Oct. 7, 1954, at Bertschy Hot Spring, Bruneau, Idaho. Eva Bertschy, her grandmother, and Alice Kite were the attending midwives. She was second of nine children born to Bill and Margaret August Bertschy.

Debbie was proud of her Indian heritage. Her mother was from the Sliammon Band, Powell River, British Columbia.

Debbie's home was always opened to anyone, her family said, noting that her children never knew who would be there when they woke up and when they come home from school. "They never knew how long the 'visit' would last. One time she told the kids to quit picking on whoever was there, that they were company. The kids were thinking they have been here for three months. Her house was always full of children from the neighborhood and beyond. We think babysitting was her hobby."

At one time in her life Debbie was left alone with her five children to raise. She went back to school, becoming a CNA. She worked in nursing homes and loved working with the elderly.

Debbie's grandchildren were the light of her day, her family said, and she never tired of school plays, recitals, soccer games or just a phone call or visit.

Seven years ago Debbie married Bill Good. "He never realized how big the extended family was. It took her a while to get him to her way of thinking," her family said.

"Debbie has left a legacy of love and to help out anyone within your power. She will be remembered as a loving sister, mother, grandmother, and wife. To a lot, she was Aunt Debbie and friend."

She is survived by: sisters Betty Miles, Mary Zarate and Lisa Juarez; brothers Bill Bertschy, Richard Bertschy and Dan Bertschy; her husband, Bill Good; children Angela and her husband, Carlos Cervantes, Christina Bertschy, Melissa and her husband, Pedro Sanchez, Estella Martinez, and Juan and his wife, Lindsey Martinez, and 14 grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents and sisters Teresa and Verna.