Bertha "Bertie" Jean Kircher

Bertie Kircher passed away on August 30, 2015, in the company of her family and the aid of Compass Regional Hospice. She was born on Mill Street in Chestertown on April 14, 1930, the daughter of Paul N. Adams and Rachel Maxwell Adams. Bertie knew at a young age that she wanted to be a nurse. She spent mornings before school as well as afternoons and weekends working as a nurses’ aid at Kent and Queen Anne’s Hospital. In order to meet the age requirement for nursing school, she took one year of classes at Washington College then entered the nursing program at Union Memorial Hospital School of Nursing in Baltimore. William “Barkley” Kircher was in between Navy enlistments and working at the Acme in Chestertown when they first began dating. After seeking special permission from the disapproving Dean of Students of the nursing school, she and Barkley were married on July 3, 1948, while he was stationed in Virginia. Upon graduation from Union Memorial in 1951, she became an RN at Kent and Queen Anne’s Hospital. Her employment with the hospital spanned a total of 40 plus years but was interrupted periodically due to her husband’s military career. She served one year in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where she was an RN at the US Naval Hospital and two tours of duty in Yokohama, Japan. Bertie continued her education at Wesley College, graduating cum laude in 1988 with a BSN from their school of nursing. She was a member of Alpha Chi Society and the United States Achievement Academy conferred on her the honor of Scholastic All American. Obstetrics was her specialty, and she aided in the birth of more babies in Kent County than could be counted. She was elected chapter coordinator of the Eastern Shore Chapter of the Association of Women’s Health Obstetrics and Neonatal Nurses in 1992. In 1995 she retired from the then Kent and Queen Anne’s Hospital, but she maintained her NCC Inpatient Obstetric Nurse Certification in 1989 and continued relief duty at the hospital through 2000. She was a life member of Christ United Methodist Church and past vice president of the United Methodist Women in 2004. She was an active participant in church support activities and adult bible study. She also enjoyed reading, doing crossword puzzles, finding internet jokes, and going to lunch with friends and former colleagues. Mrs. Kircher is predeceased by her husband, Barkley, and siblings, Erma Leonard, Ruth Stewart, Helen Adams and her brother Paul S. Adams. She is survived by her two children, William “Buddy” Kircher (Mary Beth) of White Hall and Paula Greer (Randy) of Grasonville. Her greatest joys were her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Douglas Dunn, Stephen Rose (Sarah) with son Caleb and baby Hannah on the way, Amanda Legg (Kevin) with daughter Briana, Jennifer Wisnom (Peter) with sons Mason and Owen, and Daniel Kircher. A visitation will be held on Tuesday, September 1, 2015, from 6 p..m - 8 p.m. at Fellows, Helfenbein & Newnam Funeral Home, 130 Speer Road in Chestertown. A funeral service will be held on Wednesday, September 2, 2015, at 11 a.m. at Christ United Methodist Church in Chestertown. Interment will be in Chester Cemetery following the service. In lieu of flowers to honor Bertie, memorial contributions may be made in her name to Kent and Queen Anne Rescue Squad or to Christ United Methodist Church.

Bertha "Bertie" Jean Kircher

April 14, 1930 - August 30, 2015