Bertha L. Motter, a retired Baltimore County public school educator and counselor who was an active centenarian, died May 28 of complications from anemia and pneumonia at Northwest Hospital.
She was 100.
Bertha Leon Lockley was born and raised in Lumberton, N.C., where she graduated from public schools.
She moved to Philadelphia after high school and married Thomas Maurice Motter, a machinist, in 1935. The couple lived in Waynesboro, Pa., where she worked as a cosmetologist and hair stylist.
They moved to Govans in 1942 when Mr. Motter went to work as a machinist for Crown, Cork & Seal Co. He died in 1977.
"She was the first person in her family to earn a college degree … in 1962 in psychology from Johns Hopkins University, an institution in which she took great pride," said her granddaughter, Wendy Vogenitz Tinsley, of Accokeek in Prince George's County.
Mrs. Motter began teaching in 1957 at Columbus Elementary School on East North Avenue, and later was on the faculty of Winston Elementary School.
In 1962, she left city public schools when she began teaching at Villa Cresta Elementary School, and later became a teacher and counselor at Riderwood Elementary School, from which she retired in 1977.
"The last, Riderwood, was her favorite school," her granddaughter said.
"After retiring, she became a devoted volunteer at her church, Holy Comforter Lutheran Church in Govans, where she spent a lot of time. She prepared the altar for services each Sunday and laundered the altar linens," Ms. Tinsley said. "She also volunteered at the Govans Center that was operated by the church and served meals to the homeless."
"She was very loyal to the church and was a member of the Altar Guild for years," said the Rev. Carol Henry Youse, who retired from Holy Comforter in 2000. "She was a very friendly person, and the church was a big part of her life."
Mrs. Motter got her first passport in 1977 and began traveling the next year. In subsequent years, she traveled the world independently, visiting Europe, China and the Holy Land, but at heart remained an unabashed Baltimorean.
"She was indeed so proud of the city that once, upon a trip to Paris at age 89, she turned to me and declared over a fine French table, 'The best things from all over the world can be found right in Baltimore,'" her granddaughter said.
"It was a sentiment as heartfelt as it was often shared," she said.
Since 1998, Mrs. Motter had lived at the Augsburg Lutheran Home and Village in Lochearn, where she remained active.
A retirement community publication referred to Mrs. Motter's air of "quiet elegance."
"Everyone was always impressed with her energy, kindness and style, and she never had a hair out of place," her granddaughter recalled.
Mrs. Motter worked in Augsburg's outreach office and allowed her apartment to be used as a model to show prospective residents.
"She was a great lady. She was always well-dressed and had her hair done every four days," said Tony Minio, Augsburg's director of village operations. "She had been a hall captain and helped new residents get adjusted."
Mrs. Motter continued driving until she was 98.
"One of the biggest things was her car. She wouldn't give up her car or parking place. She kept it and wanted to know that she could go anywhere when she wanted to," said Mr. Minio. "We kept it there even though she moved to assisted living."
Mrs. Motter enjoyed sewing and was in her 90s when she took computer classes.
"And when she turned 100 last year, no one could believe it," said her granddaughter. "She was thrilled to receive birthday wishes from President [Barack Obama] and first lady Michelle Obama last fall."
Mrs. Motter attributed her longevity to keeping active.
"She never drank or smoked. She drank a cup of black coffee every day and had a banana every morning, and she'd get upset if she could not have her banana for any reason," said her granddaughter. "She did this for at least 30 years, probably longer."
Mrs. Motter enjoyed walking and did "memory exercises," her granddaughter said, "to keep her mind active. She believed in learning new things and at 92 wanted to learn all she could about Judaism."
Funeral services will be held at 11 a.m. Saturday at her church, 5513 York Road, Govans.
Also surviving are daughter Judy Vogenitz of Ormond Beach, Fla., and a grandson.