Bertha Louise Woods

In Loving Memory of Bertha Louise “Birdie” Woods

Bertha Louise Woods, lovingly known as “Birdie,” was born on June 28, 1949, in Prince George, BC. She passed away on December 2, 2025, in Smithers, BC, at the age of 76, after a battle with cholangiocarcinoma.

Birdie’s life was defined by resilience, hard work, and a deep love for the land and her family. Growing up on Burnt Cabin Road and alongside the Carroll family, she formed lifelong friendships that stayed with her forever.

She truly loved her earlier time running her pony Spunky with the Northern Saddle Club and later on while living in the Quesnel area starting her own club, the Bouchie Lake Gymkhana Club running her great horse Eightball. 

She devoted much of her life to raising her family, working in logging camps, cooking for the crews, and managing the demands of both work and home.

She embraced the simple beauty of nature and was never one to shy away from hard work, whether it was running her cone-picking and tree-spacing businesses, cooking for the crew, managing the camp, or running buncher.

She had a special bond with her draft horses, including her beloved teams Punch and Pride, as well as Pat and Bill. Her horse-logging business was a true labor of love. She also had a passion for the outdoors, whether horseback riding, snowmobiling, quadding, or tending to the beautiful flowers around her home and at their little log cabin. The log cabin was such a special place for her to retreat to. 

Birdie also enjoyed her time at the little store in Topley. Enjoyed talking and meeting new people from all over the country and became great friends with locals. 

Birdie’s love for family was evident in everything she did. She is survived by her devoted husband, Brian, of 55 years, her children Tammy (Dale), Steven (Mel), Theresa, and Stephanie (Craig), and her eleven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She is also predeceased by her mother, Vivadel Desjarlais, her stepdad Victor Desjarlais, her father Frank Sadowick, and her brother, Karl Desjarlais and many other siblings.

Her adventurous spirit, warmth, and kindness will always be remembered and carried forward by everyone who knew and loved her.

Special thanks to the Bulkley Valley District Hospital, staff and doctors especially the palliative care nurses, for their special attention to Birdies needs at the time she needed it most. 

A celebration of life will be held at another time.

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