Rebecca "Bertha" T. Willey

Rebecca “Bertha” T. Willey of Cambridge, Maryland, passed away Sunday, October 19, 2025, at the Pines Nursing and Rehabilitation in Easton. Born April 15, 1932 in Cambridge, Maryland, she was the daughter of the late S. James Tyler and Beulah Pritchett Tyler.

After graduating from Cambridge High School Class of 1949, she worked at the Cambridge Banner Office. She met and married the late Wilbur “Bo” S. Willey, Jr. on April 15, 1951. Bertha became a stay-at-home housewife and mother after her first daughter was born, often saying her most important goal, with God’s help, was to be the best wife and mother she could be (she was). During this time she worked from home, assisting various customers with their bookkeeping and typing manuscripts for author Olivia Coolidge, who lived in the Corners Wharf area at the time. As her daughters grew up, she worked for Leggetts department store, Cargo Handlers, Inc. with her sister, Mildred Bradshaw (back in the day when the Cambridge Port was a thriving business), and in her later years became a CNA and cared for people in their homes.

She was a member of Grace Methodist Church for 80 years, and taught Adult Sunday School Class and Dr. Hines Bible Class for 40 years. Bertha became a certified lay speaker, teaching at Grace and various little country churches, which she really enjoyed. She also played piano for Taylors Island Methodist Church services for several years.

Bertha was a loving and caring wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother. She enjoyed taking care of people, gardening and cooking (in her younger years), Turner Classic Movies, baseball (Orioles), football (Ravens), playing the piano, reading and crossword puzzles. She loved people, but was not a socializer. She was very content in her little home which her father and brother built for her and Bo in 1956.

She is survived by her two daughters, Nancy Secrist (Calvin) and Patricia Thomas (Reginald); special niece Francine Harrison (Adrian), who she referred to as her “third daughter”; grandson David Thomas III (Jessica); granddaughter Kristy Jones (Jason Trego); great granddaughters Hailey Hurt, Savannah Bolick (Nick), and Jenna Trego; great grandson Colin Secrist; brother-in-law and sister-in-law Wallace and Marylea Willey, sister-in-law Donna Willey, many nieces and nephews, and a special neighbor, Sherry Satterfield.

Bertha was predeceased by her husband, Bo, in 2004; sisters Mildred Bradshaw, Alice Bell, Louise Slacum, Frances Aaron, Margaret “Peggy” Kinnamon, a brother, Robert Tyler, and her 19 year old cat, Moses Woodpile Willey (you can guess where he was born).

The family wishes to take this opportunity to thank Dr. S. Robert Hanna, Jr., MD and his nurses and office staff and Dr. Eugene Newmier and his nurses and office staff, for their expertise and compassion and for helping Bertha reach the ripe old age of 93-1/2. She liked to say she wasn’t “old”, she was “ancient”. Also, many thanks to all the wonderful staff at the Pines who were so kind and provided exceptional care to Bertha during her one month stay.

A graveside service will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at 2 PM at East New Market Cemetery with Grace Methodist Church Rev. Chris Pettit officiating. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Grace Methodist Church, P.O. Box 815, Cambridge, MD, 21613. Arrangements are in the care of Thomas Funeral Home, P.A. in Cambridge.