Obituary of Bertha M. Hagen

The butterfly emerges from its cocoon, reborn, it arises. Free at last the butterfly glides to heights unknown. On Monday June 4, 2012 Bertha M. "Bert" Hagen (nee Reams) found a beautiful release. Just as the butterfly, earthbound no longer, she put on her golden slippers and rose to a garden of tranquility, in a place of peace. Mrs. Hagen was born in Philadelphia, PA and had been a resident of Lindenwold for over 20 years, where she raised her family, before retiring to New Port Richie, FL for 10 years. More recently she had been a resident of Waterford where she shared her daughter's home for the past 4 years. Bert was smart compassionate and resilient. At the age of 40, she returned to business school and graduated at the top of her class. Following graduation she had worked as a Title Clerk for NJ MVS in Cherry Hill. Bert loved her family and didn't take anyone's crap! She loved music, art and theatre, especially the Philadelphia Mummers Parade and struttin' to the string bands. She loved to travel, word games and a good, dry martini. Mrs. Hagen was a member of the Red Hat Society and enjoyed red hat fun with her Chapter "Revenue Red Hatters" of Erial where she held the royal title of "Baroness Bertie". Mrs. Hagen is the widow of her late husband Nils K. Hagen, Sr. and is the mother of Nils K., Jr. & his wife Donna, William & his wife Donna, Steven & his wife Anne, Carol & her husband Randy Githens, Matthew & his wife Sandy, James & his wife Becca and the late Andrew. Bertha is the proud grandmother of 14 and great grandmother of 10. The love of her life was her granddaughter Lyndsay and great granddaughter Cadance who spent a lot of love and time with her. Mrs. Hagen is also survived and will be sadly missed by her brother James Reamer and her sister Inez Janess. The Hagen family would like to thank all of those who came to visit and care for our mother especially Tiffany from Compassionate Care Hospice, her dear niece and special friend for life Janice and the Virtua Berlin Hospital ICU and PCU nursing staff. Hail, Hail, the gang's all here. Relatives and friends are invited to remember Bert's martinis and mummers' strut, celebrate her faith and pay tribute to a caring wife, mother, grandmother and sister on Friday afternoon from 1 pm to 2 pm at the LeRoy P. Wooster Funeral Home 441 White Horse Pike, Atco where a funeral ceremony will be celebrated at 2 pm. Pastor Wesley Hawk, officiating. Inurnment will be held privately. As an expression of sympathy and in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to Compassionate Care Hospice 518 South Shore Rd., Marmora, NJ 08223 www.cchnet.net