IMPORTANT NOTICE: As Bert's publisher and friend, I regret to inform you that Bert crossed over to the other side on Saturday September 3, 2011. I have posted a copy of her Obituary below this message for additional information about Bert and her family. I will be sure that Bert's work continues and that her beautiful book, "The Free Bird Flies: Choosing Life After Loss" - will continue to be available to anyone seeking Bert's invaluable wisdom on 'Choosing Life' after the loss of a loved one. For those of us who knew and loved Bert, we must now put to use the advice she so lovingly taught us, without the physical presence of our beloved Bert.
Rest in peace my dear friend.
If I can do anything for anyone regarding books or other information related to Bert's incredible work, please feel free to contact me - either by email at voyagespressinc@gmail.com - or by phone at 706-869-8999.
Yours truly,
Angie Epting Morris, publisher
Voyages Press, Inc.
Visit Bert's web page about her book to hear a beautiful audio message about choosing life after loss and to download of copy of valuable advice from Bert called "When Silence Really Is Golden" - (Things to say or not to say) Go to www.thefreebirdflies.com
Bertie McCoy Fife December 13, 1951 - September 3, 2011
Bert McCoy Fife, 59, crossed over to the other side on Saturday, Sept. 3, 2011, while surrounded by her family at The Carpenter House of St. Joseph Hospice, due to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease. Born on Dec. 13, 1951, she was a resident of Baton Rouge and native of Zachary. Preceded in death by her parents, Charles C. McCoy and Winnie Boyte McCoy; and beloved son, Phillip Fife. Survived by her sister, Charlene Smith, of Zachary; three daughters and two sons-in-law, Jamie Williams Rosado and Jon Rosado, of Mason, Ohio, Stephanie Tregre Arboneaux and Benji Arboneaux, of Prairieville, and Vivienne Fife, of Greenwich, Conn.; son, Tyler Fife, of Gonzales; grandchildren, Emily and Julia Rosado, Treg and Drew Arboneaux; and significant other, Donald Bozeman. A graduate of Zachary High School and Loyola University, Bert was president of Bert Fife & Associates for 19 years before becoming a speaker, life coach and author of "The Free Bird Flies: Choosing Life After Loss." She received numerous business awards, including Outstanding Business Woman in Louisiana from the Department of Economic Development, and a Lifetime Achievement Award for her leadership in the in-store event marketing industry. Additionally, Bert was the first woman president of the 50-plus-year-old New Orleans Grocery Manufacturers Representative Association. She served on the board of the Baton Rouge Battered Women's Shelter and was active in the Women's Council of Greater Baton Rouge and the National Speakers Association. Visitation at Resthaven Funeral Home, 11817 Jefferson Highway, Baton Rouge, on Sunday, Sept. 11, from noon until a celebration of life memorial at 2 p.m. The free bird has flown. She wants us all to live our lives from love, not loss. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to: The CJD Foundation, P.O. Box 5312, Akron, OH 44334, or www.cjdfoundation.org.
BERT McCOY FIFE - author, speaker, entrepreneur, and life coach. In all these roles, she was able to help people become aware of their existing and potential challenges. She
shared customized, easy-to-follow ways to resolve them so people could leverage their strengths.
Bert was a savvy business professional and was the television “Workplace Expert” on WBRZ Channel 2 in Baton Rouge, LA - an ABC affiliate. Each month she addressed marketplace issues and viewer concerns about workplace challenges.
Bert started her own in-store event marketing company in 1986. Within five years she built an effective team to grow sales from zero to five million dollars in revenue. In 2004 she sold that company and started Bert Fife Consulting, LLC. This offers consulting services in which she helps people realize both their personal as well as professional dreams.
Through the Personality Insights Institute, Bert became a Certified Human Behavior Consultant in 2006. Through this training she helped people understand their strengths - - and understand others as well - - lending to more effective and productive communication, both in the workplace and in their personal lives.
Bert has received numerous business awards, including Outstanding Business Woman in Louisiana from the Dept of Economic Development, Boss of the Year from multiple Business and Professional Women’s chapters, and a Lifetime Achievement Award for her leadership in the In-Store Event Marketing Industry. Additionally, Bert was the first woman president of the 50 plus year-old New Orleans Grocery Manufacturer’s Representative Association.
In 2006 when Bert lost her son Phillip in a car accident, she re-examined her beliefs, convictions, and courage. Using her management skills to deal with grief in a way that inspires others to choose life after loss, she continued to be a highly sought after conference speaker and presenter throughout the country. She can continue to help many people deal with grief and reclaim their lives through her beautifully written book, The Free Bird Flies: Choosing Life After Loss.
