Bernadine Richard
December 16, 1945 – December 12, 2022
Bernadine Richard was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend. At the age of 76 years, after a long and difficult illness, she passed peacefully at home on Monday, December 12, 2022, surrounded by the love of her family.
She was born as Mary Bernadine Osborne, the eldest child of Ralph and Elsie (Robicheau) on December 16, 1945. She grew up in Porters Lake and West Chezzetcook where she attended school. As the first grandchild on her father’s side, Bernadine spent many happy times at her paternal grandparents’ home on Broom Road. At the age of 12, she met her soulmate & future husband, Kenny, who’s eye she caught when she turned and smiled at him as he sat in the church balcony during mass. For the next 65 years, Kenny was never far from Bernadine’s side and was her devoted caregiver during her lengthy illness. They were married on August 3, 1963. Two years later, they built a home on the shores of the Chezzetcook inlet and raised three children, Angie, Denise & Darren. Bernadine was a loving and fun mother. She was very involved with the family’s camping club and volunteered for many years at youth festivals and music camps where she was second mom to many. Bernadine welcomed everyone into her home, where she had many parties filled with music and laughter, good food and great friends.
Bernadine worked a variety of jobs, starting at Morse’s Tea when she was first married. After the kids were a bit older, she returned to work, first at Sears, and later at Esso Home Comfort and Discount Fuels. After retirement, along with her sisters, Wanda & Gwenna, she opened the Chezzetcook Tea Room. She had a natural gift for welcoming and serving others. Her giving nature was evident through her many gifts of service to her family, friends, church, and community. A woman of strong faith, she was active in her church at St. Anselm’s Parish where she served as Eucharistic Minister. Many returning visitors to the annual lobster supper would be greeted like old friends by Bernie who had a talent for remembering everyone she met.
Bernadine loved to travel, from road & train trips across Canada with Kenny to their yearly spring trip to Florida which they did for 30 years. She could pack up a car in less than an hour but she would always make sure there was room for the kids, her sisters, her mother and the occasional stranger if they needed a ride. Although she hated to fly and was ill with Parkinson’s, in 2018, on her last trip Bernie & Kenny flew to Edmonton to visit Angie and then drove to Vegas. Bernadine was proud of her Acadian heritage and visited Louisiana several times. She was an early supporter of the creation of a French school in Chezzetcook and was an active member of the local French club, where she had many dear friends.
She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Kenny Richard; daughters, Angela Richard & Denise Zareski; son Darren Richard (Wanda); grandsons Ethan Zareski, Travis Lalonde, Sylas Zareski, Isaac Zareski; granddaughter Tyla Lalonde; step-grandson Coady Hebert; great-grandsons Rylan & Tevin; mother, Elsie Dillman; sisters Wanda Fitzgerald (Barry) & Gwenna Pirri (Rondo); son-in-law, Tony Zareski; special uncle Ross Osborne; brothers-in-law Donald Richard (Joanne), Johnny Richard (Gloria); Vincent Richard; sisters-in-law Elaine Cook, Paula Myers, Ann Sinclair (David), Theresa Babineau (Gary); many nieces & nephews, cousins, extended family & dear friends. She was predeceased by her beloved daddy, Ralph Osborne, and a grandson, Francis Richard Zareski, in infancy.
Cremation has taken place. Visitation will be held on Sunday, December 18 from 2-4 pm and 6-8 pm at Dartmouth Funeral Home, 29 Queen Street, Dartmouth. A funeral mass will be held on Tuesday, December 20 at 11:00 am at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church, 1570 Shore Road, Eastern Passage, followed by interment at St. Anslem’s Cemetery in West Chezzetcook. Donations in Bernadine’s memory may be made to any charity of choice. For the full obituary and online condolences, go to: www.dartmouthfuneralhome.ca.
“shed tears that she is gone . . . smile because she has »
SERVICES
Visitation
Sunday, December 18, 2022
2:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Dartmouth Funeral Home
29 Queen Street
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 1E9
Visitation
Sunday, December 18, 2022
6:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Dartmouth Funeral Home
29 Queen Street
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 1E9
Funeral Mass
Tuesday, December 20, 2022
11:00 AM
St. Andrews Roman Catholic Church
1570 Shore Road
Eastern Passage, Nova Scotia B3G 1M5
December 16 1945 December 12 2022
Nous offrons nos plus sincères condoléances à la famille et aux amis de Bernadine Richard December 16 1945 December 12 2022 et espérons que leur souvenir pourra être une source de réconfort pendant cette période difficile. Vos pensées et vos mots aimables sont grandement appréciés.
Décès pour la Ville: Dartmouth, Province: Nova Scotia