Alberta “Bert” Louise Cowley Burkholder

March 25, 1928 - November 24, 2025

Alberta died at Fairview Manor, Fairview, PA, at the age of 97 on Monday, November 24, 2025. She was born at home in Millcreek Twp., on March 25, 1928, the daughter of the late Grant Floyd Cowley and Louise Augusta Christine Ecker Cowley. She was preceded in death by her parents, her husband, Ronald “Bud” William Burkholder, one brother the Rev. Richard C. (Martha) Cowley, one grandson Ryan E. Cappelletty, and one niece, Bonnie Sue Cowley.

She is survived by her children: Ellen (David) Bunnell, Christine (Gerald) DeRosa, Robin (Richard) Cappelletty, Teri (Ben) Whitney, and William (Nancy) Burkholder. She was adored by 15 grandchildren and 25 great- grandchildren, many cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends, who thought the world of her joy and sweetness.

Alberta graduated from Erie Academy High School the Class of 1947. She was a secretary at General Electric Co. She was married on February 22, 1949, and raised five children as a dedicated homemaker. She was the owner and operator of Bud n Berts Ceramic Studio for over 25 years.

Her Memorial Service and committal will be held at the family’s convenience with burial at Laurel Hill Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, gifts may be made in Alberta’s name to: the Ryan Cappelletty Criminology Scholarship - Edinboro University-PENN WEST Foundation, 210 Meadville Street, Edinboro, PA 16444. edinborofoundation.org. or to the West Ridge Fire Department, 3142 West 26th Street, Erie, PA 16506. westridgefire.org/donate. Arrangements were made through the Dusckas-Martin Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc.,4216 Sterrettania Rd. www.dusckasmartinfuneralhome.com.

To the world she was Alberta, but to us she was the whole world. They say if you had a good mother, you won the lottery. We teased her: If it’s not one thing, it’s your mother! She guaranteed that home was always the place to be. It is her legacy that her five children want to get to Heaven just to be with her. When I die, don’t cry, SING! DANCE! but don’t cry when I die. When I die say, “She Made It!” Heaven is sweeter and more fun because Bert just arrived! Let’s have a party!