Bertha M. Flanders, 106

On July 23, 2026, Bertha Mabel Flanders died peacefully at her home in Redding, California, at the age of 106.

Born in Campton, on May 26, 1920, Bertha Mabel Palmer was the eldest of four children born to Richard Loren Palmer, of Ellsworth, and Laura Ann Conrad, of Campton. Bertha was raised in Campton, attending Plymouth High School, followed by business college in Manchester, after which she worked for Noyes Insurance Agency in Plymouth.

On June 26, 1942, Bertha married Lawrence Howard Flanders of Rumney. Two children were born to them while they lived in Plymouth; a son, Lawrence Richard, and a daughter, Daphne Ann.

In 1955, Bertha and her family moved to Southern California, where Bertha lived a life of service as a deacon in the Presbyterian Church and worked as a nursery school teacher as well as opened her home to refugees from Germany and Vietnam. She was an avid reader and enjoyed sewing and baking, and keeping up with current events. One of her greatest joys was being surrounded by the love of her family.

Bertha was predeceased by her son in 1971, and her husband in 1987.

She is survived by her daughter, Daphne Zimbalist (Ronald deceased) of Redding, California; grandchildren Matthew Zimbalist (Jessamy Zimbalist) of Vista, California, Barbara Fleck (Andrew Fleck) of McAllen, Texas, and Jeffrey Zimbalist (Amber Zimbalist) of Redding, California; and four great-grandchildren.

A graveside service will be held at Blair Cemetery in Campton at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 8, with the Rev. Jeffrey Robie of Campton Congregational Church officiating. A reception will follow at Campton Congregational Church.

Dupuis Funeral Home, in Ashland, will be handling arrangements.