**Please note the previous funeral date and time (Friday) has been postponed.
Berit’s new funeral service date is now Monday, February 12, 2024 at 2:00 p.m. at Fewer’s Memorial Chapel, Clarenville.
Berit died quietly at the Clarenville Retirement Centre in the early morning of January 31, 2024, her 93rd birthday. Berit was predeceased by her parents, a sister, a brother and other family members, all in Norway. She is survived by husband, Victor Ralph Pittman, her daughter Karin, of Bergen, Norway, her son Eric (Cherie) of Victoria, B.C., her granddaughter Amanda Bolt Botnen (Tobias) and four great‑great grandchildren of Denmark as well as a wide circle of family and friends.
Berit’s early childhood experiences were tempered by the Nazi occupation of Norway and by her parents’ involvement in the Resistance.
After the war, Berit was employed by the United Nations to facilitate the reunification and relocation of families displaced by the war. She joined the Norwegian Foreign Office and was posted to Czechoslovakia where she met Victor Ralph Pittman, her future husband. They were married in Ottawa in 1956 and she subsequently became mother to Karin and Eric. As a military wife, she moved frequently ‑ Canada, Germany, Moscow and back to Canada where they made Nova Scotia their home.
Berit was deeply involved in her community. She spoke several languages which facilitated the establishment of her translation business. For her work on behalf of Norwegian and Canadian seamen who served in the Merchant Navy during the Second World War, she was awarded the St. Olaf Medal by the King of Norway, while for her other community contributions she was awarded the Queen’s Jubilee Medal.
In 2002, Berit and Victor returned to his home town of Shoal Harbour where they built a log home. In 2018, they relocated to the Clarenville Retirement Centre.
The family extends sincere thanks to the staff of the Clarenville Retirement Centre for their care and support. Cremation has taken place.
There will be visitation at Fewer’s Funeral Home on Thursday, February 8th, 7:00 to 9:00 pm Memorial service to be held in the Chapel at a date and time to be announced. Interment will be in the family plot at a later date in St. George’s Anglican Cemetery at Head of St. Margaret’s Bay, Nova Scotia.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Clarenville SPCA.
Condolences(20)-
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Rev. Brian Hannon says
February 5, 2024 at 12:46 pmRalph, I was very surprised and sorry to learn of Berit’s passing. Please accept my condolences. May your memories of her be a source of comfort to you. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.
Royal Norwegian Consular, St. John's, NL says
February 5, 2024 at 3:05 pmOur sincere condolences to the family. A great loss to the Norwegian community.
Shelley Asserson says
February 5, 2024 at 7:14 pmDear Vic and family, I have just read the sad news of Berit’s passing. Jørgen, Marta and I first met Berit when we attended a Norwegian gathering in Halifax and were so warmly welcomed by her into the community. Soon after, we were invited to your home in St. Margaret’s Bay where the Norwegian/Canadian friendship was sealed. Berit’s stories were wonderful to hear and her many lifetime accomplishments were beyond impressive. Jørgen and I had the great fortune to see you several times after you’d returned to Newfoundland, our last visit being at the Crow’s Nest Officers Mess in St. John’s (where my mother served in WWII). Sadly, I lost Jørgen in January 2020. Treasured memories of our friendship, Vic, and my deepest condolences on the loss of a truly wonderful woman.
Margaret and Carlos de Carvalho says
February 5, 2024 at 9:02 pmOur sincerest condolences to you and your family.
Henn Soosaar says
February 6, 2024 at 10:19 amOur deepest condolences to Vic and family from Christine and me on the loss of Berit, a great lady and wonderful neighbour here on Masons Point. Her energy and enthusiasm for all the right causes was amazing and left a lasting impression in our lives. A life well lived.
Ulf. Snarby says
February 5, 2024 at 11:13 pmVic and family; I’m sorry to hear about Berit’s passing, and wish to pass my condolences to you and the family.
Berit’s dedication and passion for proper recognition for the wartime merchant mariners will never be forgotten. RIP
Christine westhaver says
February 6, 2024 at 6:40 amCondolences to all . Mrs Pittman was a beautiful lady with an amazing past. I met her when I was in my late teens. She was a very smart and interesting lady that encouraged me to follow my dream of joining the Military. I owe her for telling me to just do it. Lovely lady will be missed.
Jeff Pinhey says
February 6, 2024 at 10:19 amAn extraordinary woman who lived a full life. Condolences to Vic, Karin and Eric. I’ll see you out on the point by the brown church.
Odd Eirik og Ketil says
February 6, 2024 at 11:28 amOur deepest condolences.Ketil and Odd Eirik and families.
Norma and Wilbur says
February 7, 2024 at 12:15 amIt was just another day at the post office until a woman I didn’t know came in and asked for a box of matches. “Excuse me?” I responded. “I would like a box of matches,” the woman replied again. “Excuse me, but do you mean a book of stamps?” “Oh! Did I say matches?” We had a great laugh, and as I was getting her stamps, she introduced herself. “My name is Berit Pittman. My husband and I just moved here from Nova Scotia.” “You must be Victor’s wife?” I enquired. “Yes,” she said. “Well, you know my husband and your husband are related? Cousins, they are.”
Thus began a beautiful friendship that blossomed over the years until Berit’s passing. We were very close and I will miss her so very much.
-Norma
Ralph,
So sorry we cannot be there to share in your sorrow. You are in our minds and in our hearts as you go through this time. May God bless you.
See you when we get home.
Love, Norma and Wilbur
“Rest in peace, my dear friend.”
Steinar Engeset says
February 7, 2024 at 10:48 amDear Vic and family,
It was with great sadness that I learned of Berit’s passing. She will be greatly missed by both the Convoy Cup Foundation and the former Camp Norway Foundation. I am sure that the peacekeepers will be happy to receive her. My deepest sympathy and prayers to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Steinar Engeset
daisydauphinee@gmail.com says
February 7, 2024 at 11:35 amDear Victor
so sorry to hear of Berit;s passing ‘it has been quite some time ,since i;ve seen you both .God willing ,I will be here when she comes to N.S. may GOD.S BLESSINGS BE WITH YOU,AND MAY SHE REST IN PEACE
SINCERE SYMPATHY
Daisy. Dauphinee Tantallon ,Nova Scotia
Brain Injury Association of NS says
February 7, 2024 at 4:27 pmOur sincere condolences to the Pittman family on Berit’s passing. She was an inaugural member of our organization and is remembered as a dedicated volunteer who helped many during her years with us.
Madonna & Gary says
February 7, 2024 at 9:04 pmSo sorry to hear of Berit’s passing, thinking of you all at this sad time.
Janice Sampson (Ashe) says
February 8, 2024 at 7:50 pmKarin. My deepest condolences to you, your dad, Eric and your families. She was a brave, intelligent and amazing woman. She will be missed by many of us here in the Bay and Im sure all over the world. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Darlene Balsom says
February 8, 2024 at 8:54 pmThoughts and prayers are with your family.
Winston Brown says
February 9, 2024 at 5:32 pmRalph and family, Sincere condolences to you on the loss of your wife and mother. One day, this lovely lady entered Shoal Harbour Post Office and we all made a new and interesting friend. As we got to know her, she regaled us with the most fascinating stories about growing up in Norway during the war, and being part of the Resistance. Along with the stories were lots of laughs too. What a wonderfully interesting person she was. Each visit was a treasure. Again, condolences to you all on your loss
Rev. Donna Hann says
February 13, 2024 at 10:22 amWe extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to Boyd & Carol Hall,on the passing of your sister-in-law Carol: Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you both and with all of Berit’s family, may God bless and sustain you all, during this very difficult time. From members and friends, of Memorial United Church. Clarenville and Rev. Donna.
June and Paul says
February 14, 2024 at 7:30 pmRalph, we are so sorry to hear of Berit’s passing. May you find comfort in your memories, I’m sure she will be missed by many.
Lena V. Nielsen says
May 17, 2024 at 12:57 pmDear Vic and Family:
I am saddened to hear of Berit’s passing. She was certainly a ‘force to reckon with’ during her lifetime. I worked with her through the Scandinavian Society many years back, and found her to be a great inspiration not only to Norwegians, but most certainly to women. My deepest condolences to you.
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