Rebecca Holmes Bertain passed away from this life on February 1, after a battle with dementia.

Born in Pasadena in 1946 to Bob and Rita Holmes, Rebecca joined two older siblings, Roberta and Dean, as the baby of the family. Growing up in Chatsworth in post-war California on a 20-acre ranch — half orange trees, half alfalfa — was an exciting time for Rebecca, with numerous tales of adventures with her friend Diane in the greater Los Angeles urban area, and trips to see relatives in the rural farming communities. Early in her life and starting in 1953, Rebecca’s family had begun putting down roots in Humboldt County, moving back and forth between Southern California and an 80-acre (originally 280 acres) piece of property located on the top of Fickle Hill, above Arcata and the fog.

As a girl of twelve years old, during one of her sojourns in Southern California, Rebecca attended a revival led by Rev. Billy Graham. There, she accepted the love of Jesus Christ into her heart, and that love burned brightly for the rest of her life. All who knew her saw Rebecca’s deep and abiding faith. Her lifelong involvement and sharing of her musical talents in her church and parish communities was a source of great support and comfort to many.

Rebecca married Robert Alder in 1964, welcoming three children of their own, Rebecca (Sorter), Ronald, and Rachel, along with adopting their son Robert Alder III, a Yurok member. During those times, life took her back and forth from Humboldt County to Southern California, and then later to Missouri for about a year. As this marriage came to a close, Rebecca ended up moving back to Humboldt County, along with her children, and a new chapter began.

During this time, Rebecca became involved with Gospel Outreach and Faith Center in Eureka, while also developing close ties with the church families at Trinity Baptist and Arcata First Baptist. Rebecca also became really close with a number of families in the early Pro-Life movement, including Fred and Cheryl Kent. As time went on, Fred and Cheryl later played a role in introducing Rebecca to Bill Bertain, a local attorney and former member of the 82nd Airborne Division, and the youngest of a large family from Scotia. Bill and Rebecca were deeply attracted to each other from the start, and so began a love that resulted in nearly 40 years of marriage. They were married at St. Bernard’s Catholic Church in 1986 on the Monday night after Easter Sunday and 2 days after Rebecca joined the Catholic Faith on Holy Saturday. Bill always said that he had wanted to marry a beautiful woman who was smarter than him. And he did. She had told him that she would not marry him unless he quit smoking. He followed her advice.

Bill and Rebecca built a house of their own at the end of Ole Hansen Road mostly out of used lumber that Bill had been collecting (including the bowling alley lanes from the old Eureka Bowl). They soon started a family, welcoming a son, William, and a daughter, Essie. That five-acre property became a place of many gatherings of friends and families , and for church services over the decades, as well as birthdays, receptions, and parties, and became alive with the sounds of children and grandchildren, cousins and friends.

Music was such a key part of Rebecca’s life, and one she enjoyed with her husband Bill and with all of her children. To many who first met her, Rebecca was likely first introduced as a church piano lady. Later on, she became the organizational energy and inspiration behind Messiah School of the Arts, which became Messiah Choral Ministries. To our knowledge, Rebecca never took a formal piano lesson, but was entirely self-taught at the age of 25.

And, my, how she could play! And write music – including a musical based on the Book of Esther, along with many songs praising God. Rebecca was also a tremendous gardener, and her green thumb was superb. Many a child helped themselves to the organic produce, berries and fruit that came from her garden. As for her flowers, they were like something out of a fairy-tale.

Children were a deep delight to her, and the warmth, care and affection she had for little ones was an inspiration to us all.

Rebecca’s tenacity in life was legendary. All of five-foot nothing and 105 pounds soaking wet (at most), her can-do attitude, drive, and intensity (coupled with kindness and gentleness) was something to behold. Whether it was raising a deer as a pet, riding a horse while standing on its back when she was a little girl, teaching herself piano, getting a truck out of a ditch on a cliff-side road, or taking on the role of foreman for the construction of her own home, nobody could get it across to Rebecca that she could not do what she set her mind on. And for those of us who tried telling her, she’d tell you a thing or two.

Rebecca’s faith in her Savior was like a rock. While it was by no means always easy, that little girl who accepted Jesus walked faithfully, through life’s toils, with Him until the end.

Rebecca was preceded in death: by her parents, by her adopted son Robert Alder, and by her newborn grandson David Christopher Alder. Rebecca leaves behind: her husband, Bill Bertain, her daughters Rebecca Sorter (Gary), Rachel, Essie (Allen), her sons Ronald (Darlene) and Will (Michelle). She also leaves behind twenty-two grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren.

The family expresses its deep gratitude to the Weeks family, who provided much care and attention to Rebecca in her final year, and especially to Sequoia Matteoli, who took such good care of Mom in her final months and days.

Thanks are also due to Visiting Angels of Humboldt County, and to Hospice of Humboldt. Your care and attention to Mom is deeply appreciated.

Rebecca, Mom … you will be missed so very much. The pain and grief we feel now at your passing reminds us of how you did so much for us, and our lives were better for your love. With deep hope in Our Savior, we trust that you made the audition with the angel band, and got your part.

May the angels lead you into paradise. May choirs of angels receive you, and may you have eternal rest.

Rebecca’s funeral Mass of Resurrection will take place at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday, February 14, at St. Bernard’s Church in Eureka with the viewing to commence at 12:30 p.m. and Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 12:45 p.m.