Mrs. Melvina (Bortolon) Herman, age 90 years, a resident of Thunder Bay, passed away peacefully in St. Joseph’s Hospice on Monday, February 3, 2025. Born in Fort William, Ontario, she was a lifetime resident of Thunder Bay, attending St. Peter’s elementary school and St. Patrick’s High School. She spent months in the Sanatorium at the age of 12, fighting tuberculosis. Melvina worked at DJ Kelly before staying home to raise her four boys in their home on Mission Island. She enjoyed her yard/garden, the deer, and the peaceful neighbourhood. After the death of her firstborn son Gregory at the age of 22, Melvina had a special dream that comforted her deeply and changed the trajectory of her faith. Jesus became her hope from that point onward. At her life’s end, her confidence in Jesus’ ability to bring her safely to heaven held firm. She wanted to share this poem:
“The Dash”
First comes the date of birth
The following date with tears.
But what matters the most of all
Is the dash between the years.
It matters not how much we own,
The cars, the house, the cash,
What matters is how we live and love
And how we spend our dash.
By Linda Ellis
The most important part to Melvina in her ‘dash’ was her faith in Jesus and her family.
Melvina is survived by her sons Ken, Toronto; Rick and wife Karen and grandchildren Bryn and Brooke, Thunder Bay; Ron and wife Robin and grandchildren Rebecca, Naomi, Gregory, Abigail, Daniel and Timothy, Collingwood; brothers Albert (Pam) Bortolon and Ron Bortolon. Numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives also survive.
She was predeceased by her husband of 55 years, Bohdan ‘Bud’ Herman in 2012 and her son Gregory in 1979, her parents Lorenzo and Angelina Bortolon, sisters Yolanda Vaccher and husband Mario, Elsie Hluchy and husband Charlie, Rita Goral and her husband Roman and Flora Bortolon, parents-in-law Alexander and Catherine Herman, brothers-in-law Maurice and wife Jean, John and wife Dorothy and William, and sisters-in-law Mary and Jessie.
As per Melvina’s wishes, cremation has taken place and a private service for family and close friends will follow at a later date. Private interment to take place in Mountain View Cemetery. If desired, memorials to St. Joseph’s Hospice would be appreciated.
Condolences may be made through www.nwfainc.com
