Bernadette 'Berne' Puttock

June 27, 1947 ~ June 10, 2022

One of the few advantages of dying from Terminal Cancer, is that you have time to write your own obituary. (The other advantages are; no longer bothering with sunscreen and no longer worrying about what you eat or smoking. (OK, if I’m being honest, I never worried about any of it!)

I was born in Kitchener on June 27, 1947, at St Mary’s Hospital. I went to St Joseph’s Elementary School and onto Mary’s (all girls) Catholic High School for a few months. Then decided I wanted to do things “my way”. I defiantly, moved on from traditional education and attended the University of Hard Knox. The jury is out if I graduated or not.

In my professional life, I was a labourer at General Springs, a waitress and bartender at various country hotels; The Steddick Hotel in Elmira, The Queen’s Tavern in Wellesley, The Blue Moon in Petersburg, and Kennedy’s Tavern in St Agatha. I was also a hairdresser, a Personal Support Worker, a Counselor at a Women’s Shelter, a labourer at Kraus Carpets and a dedicated volunteer at many different organizations who needed a giving heart, an extra set of hands and who needed me. Yes, I wore many hats in my day!

I moved to “The Village” in Listowel in 2017. My kids and everyone else thought I lost my mind because I moved to Listowel not knowing a soul—until I was introduced to my “only friend Gerty”, who in turn, introduced me to our amazing Church and Pastor Henry. The second best decision I ever made--(moving to Listowel, being my first), because I was now surrounded by God’s people. My people. A congregation that ACCEPTED me for WHO I WAS and ALLOWED me to BE who I was. No other church ever made me feel like I belonged like Bethel. I can’t express enough how grateful and thankful I am for that. Speaking of thankful…there’s not enough words that could even begin to thank everyone who brought me dinners over the last year and a half, dropped in for visits, drove me to and from Church, and brought joy and laughter into my life. I’m sure God will find His special way to thank you on my behalf.

I am survived by my beloved children, Brent Schweitzer (Fran), Dean Schweitzer (Brenda), and Cantina Leggo (Brad), and my grandchildren, Dylan Schweitzer, Taylor Wannop (Sam) and Zachary Schweitzer.  Also my brother Richard Puttock and my sisters Bonnie Morrow and Gina Lanneville.  And many, much-loved nieces and nephews, and friends.

God gave me the gift of life on this earth, and now I have to give it back. This is hard. Really hard. But I was a blessed woman, who led a blessed existence, and for this I am so grateful. When I was told the cancer was terminal in June of 2020, I decided to be joyful about having had a full life, rather than sad about having to die. “I’m going to live until I die” was my new mantra.  Amazingly, this outlook worked for me. (Well, you know, most of the time.).  Pastor Henry, the Congregation, my study of the Christian faith, and my daughter, also helped me accept what I could not change.  At any rate, it brought me love and peace. What more could I ask for?

Thank you for all the laughter and the love, and for standing by me through until the end. Friends and Family, I love you all so much, and I'm so grateful to you all. I wish you big blessings. May you, every day, connect with the love of God and the brilliance of your own unique Spirit. And may you always remember that obstacles in the path are not obstacles, they ARE the path.

If you so feel inclined, and wish to leave a gift in memory of me, I’d be forever grateful if you’d consider making a donation to Sakura House Hospice in Woodstock, Ontario.

God bless you all, truly LIVE until you die.

Wareing Cremation Services, 225 Norwich Avenue, Woodstock, Ontario has been entrusted with Final Arrangements.  Your messages of remembrance and condolence may be shared here at wareingcremation.ca