Bernadette Marie Louise Watteyne

March 2, 1925 - February 14, 2022
Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, peacefully passed away with her family at her side. Bernadette was the love of our lives and fittingly passed away on Valentine's Day
She loved her community, which was evident with her 30+ years as a Palliative Care Volunteer.
She served as a patient volunteer since they began in1986, by visiting patients at the hospital, then saw the need in the Baker Lodge and began her visits there almost every Sunday. She always told us that she loved to hold the hands of those in need, and everyone deserved to have candy. In 2007, as a promotion by the Cariboo Observer to applaud Angel in Disguise, the Palliative Care Society nominated Bernadette as their unsung Angel.
The Catholic Church was very important in Mom's life, and she tried to never miss a Sunday service. She served as President of the Catholic Women's League and was an active member for over 60 years. It became league policy that Mom would be the one to adjourn the meetings she attended. For over 30 years, she visited patients at the hospital as part of the CWL, prior to her years with the Palliative Care Society.
She looked forward to her Keenagers exercise classes at the Legion, which she attended regularly, right up until she was 92. Many of you would have seen her, on her almost daily walks to town, sporting her bright blue coat and hat, or sitting on her front steps, happily chatting with the neighbours.
She always looked forward to her afternoon tea parties with her granddaughter Valene, and her twice-yearly trips to Nanaimo to spend a month with her daughter Maureen and family.
Bernadette was born in Hupel, BC, the youngest of 7 siblings. Sadly, her mother passed away when she was only 6 months old. When she was 5, she was taken in by a loving family in Vancouver, and then reconnected with her birth family in her 20's. She shared a close relationship with them for the rest of their lives.
She married Valere Albert Watteyne in Aug. 1950. They raised 4 children in Quesnel. They were happily married until his death in May of 1985.
She was very fortunate to have lived her last years at Dunrovin, where she kept the staff amused with her continuous and contagious laughter. That was one thing we could always count on with mom, her humour, compassion, generosity, and her never ending laughter. It's one of the many gifts that she bestowed upon us.
Bernadette is lovingly remembered by her son Ron (Elaine), daughters, Maureen (Dave Lowden), Carol Thatcher, and Linda Schwemler.
Her grandchildren, Jason (Helen), Christian (Beatrice), Cory, Ryan (Samantha), Valene (Todd), Tanner (Kimberly). Her great-grand children: Matthew, Markus, Noah, Nathan, Lucas, and Elizabeth.
Mom was the center of our family. We will miss her dearly and will keep her in our heart's forever.
We know you are smiling down on us Mom.
Services for Bernadette will be held at St. Ann's Catholic Church on Thursday February 24th at 11am.
In lieu of flowers, Mom had requested donations be made to the Quesnel Palliative Care.