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In a quiet room at Andy’s House, Darlene sat beside her mother, gently turning the pages of a handmade book. On its cover was Noir, the now retired therapy cat at Hospice Muskoka. The book, lovingly crafted by Darlene, came to be known as Bertha’s Book.
Bertha Tolles, Darlene’s mother, was the proud matriarch of a large and loving family—mother of eight, and cherished Grandma and Great Grandma to many. During her final weeks at Andy’s House, Bertha was rarely alone. Visitors came often, sharing laughter, memories, and stories. Wanting to preserve these moments, Darlene encouraged everyone to write in the book. The children especially enjoyed “telling” Great Grandma their news.
In quieter moments, Darlene would read these messages aloud. Sharing the entries became a treasured ritual, a way to bring joy and connection during those final days.
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