Bernadette "Bernii" Tucker

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of Bernii, as her friends called her, or Joe, to her aunt Donnie, after a valiant battle with Melanoma. Bernii is finally pain-free and being held in the arms of unconditional and eternal love; for that, we are grateful Bernii joined her maternal grandparents, Nellie and Archie Marchand on Nellie's birthday. They predeceased her in 2012 and 2018, respectively and played a major supportive role to her while she was growing up. Being the firstborn grandchild and niece in the Marchand household, Bernii has always held a special place in the hearts of her grandparents and her aunt Donnie, so it's no wonder Mom (Nellie) came to get Bernii on her birthday; just to add extra fun to the heavenly festivities!

Bernii was cared for in Kelowna and Calgary by her aunt Donnie for the last four and a half months of her life. I will always feel blessed to have had that time one-on-one with her. Aside from her illness, it was a time of the reconnection of our souls and our love for each other! The fact that I could help calm her anxiety, give her unconditional love and care, as well as just be there to hug her through the tough times are memories I will cherish for the rest of my life, along with many brighter moments of the life we shared.

As a child, Bernii was not only colourful on the outside with her bright red curly hair, pink cheeks, and big brown eyes, but she was also colourful and beautiful on the inside too! From a young age, she could hold the attention of an entire room with her bubbly personality, quick wit, sarcastic humour, infectious laugh, and her ability to make a party out of any get-together! She loved to dance and sing and did so often. As she grew older, her personality just got bigger and better and as one friend put it, "She could take fun to new, unfathomable heights!" Bernii was about living life to the fullest!

Always positive and looking for the good in people, Bernii was loving, kind, generous, and fiercely loyal to those she loved. The quality and devotion exhibited by Bernii's friends doesn't happen by accident, you only get terrific friends if you are one yourself, and obviously, she was! Bernii's tight circle of Kelowna friends (family) loved her dearly and they meant the world to her too: Laura Duncan, Berni Frampton, Liza Munro, Peggy Nowosad, Greg Mazur, Gabe DeYong, and Michelle Nykilchuk, thank you all for your care and support given to Bernii and me (Donnie). "lt takes a village"...and you were all there for us every step of the way! Thank you from the depths of my heart! You all played such pivotal roles when she needed you! In case you didn't know, I have adopted all of you into my family, now, too.

Bernii was an accomplished Esthetician being self-employed for many years in Calgary. She moved to Newfoundland and married Gordon Tucker in 2008. Bernii decided to add to her resume and completed her Hairdressing course there and graduated with Honours. Bernii and Tuk lived in Newfoundland for a couple of years, then moved to the Okanagan area about 10 years ago, where they divorced, but remained friends. Bernii described her move to the Okanagan as "Living her best life ever" and she was! She was happy on a personal and professional level!

Bernii taught beauty culture at Marvel College in Vernon BC, then eventually ended up as a Wholesale Beauty Consultant for West Coast Beauty Supplies where she worked for about the past 9 years. She was brilliant at her job, being named the "#1 Salesperson of the Year" for several years consecutively. She loved her job and her boss, Gabe, who became a valued friend, as did her co-worker Michelle.

Bernii found her true happy place about four years ago when she started riding a motorcycle for pleasure. "All the world was right" when the wind was blowing through her hair. (That gorgeous platinum blonde hair she sported for the past twenty years or so was a natural fade from her own bright auburn. Envied by many, for sure!). Bernii eventually found a riding group called UBAKA (Urban Bulldogs Against Kid Abuse) in Kelowna and fell in love with the philosophy and mission of the group. They support children and spouses who have been affected by violence or had violent circumstances in the household, coming from an abusive past, this cause was near and dear to her heart, and the group members were precious to her!

Thank you to the UBAKA boys who came to see Bernii off at the airport on July 11, Steve, Joe, Jason, and Mark! You really boosted Bernii's spirits! She loved seeing you all and really appreciated the effort put forth by you to do that! Eric Reynolds, thank you for providing Bernii with the beautiful hair she came home with. She loved looking almost like her old self. I'm so sorry that she couldn't get more use out of it. Your generosity in donating it to a like cause is remarkable!

Bernii's three best friends the "Calgary family" took over from the "Kelowna family" in grand style! Darien Roy, Steve Pushie and David Bears were constantly by her side, as much as possible, during her time in Calgary. Bernii was very much aware that she was surrounded by a massive circle of love! Steve, thank you so much for going above and beyond by helping Rod to facilitate her move to Calgary. The three of you are rock stars and because you all meant so much to Bernii, you have been added to my family tree as well. Thank you for being the beautiful souls you are and for supporting me too.

Nin Robinson, thank you for all your help in getting Bernii packed up for the move on a weekend that you intended to just visit with her. Your help was invaluable! Also, thank you for flying into Kelowna, at your own expense, specifically to accompany Bernii back to Calgary on July 11. With your busy schedule, your sacrifice was noted and the comfort it brought to Bernii was immense!

Cam Forry, thank you for giving part of your holiday time away to help look after getting Bernii's belongings to where she wanted them. I know you don't think anything of it, but it was a huge relief for Bernii!

A huge thank you to the Palliative Care Team, nurses, and aids in Unit 82 at the Rocky View Hospital, especially Dr. Simon who was on duty the day of Bernii's passing. The care and support Bernii, her friends, and I received were exceptional! Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making her journey as painless as possible for all of us! Finally, thank you to all the family, friends, and co-workers who offered prayers and words of comfort and support during Bernii's battle. You are all greatly appreciated, and your love was received with great delight and reciprocity!

Bernii (Bernii) is survived by her aunt and uncle, Donnie and Rod Forry; cousins, Cam Forry, Nin (Forry), Sean, Brae, and Halle Jo Robinson; the "chosen family'' of friends; as well as numerous extended family members.

In lieu of flowers, if you would like to honour Bernii’s memory, please consider making a donation to the Kelowna chapter of UBAKA by emailing snaps.kelowna@gmail.com

Fly high and free beautiful Angel! Death will not dim your stunning, bright light or the love you left behind. You will be forever loved and held deeply in our hearts for being the AMAZING person you are!

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