Obituaries

MARY BERNADETTE (“Bernie”) ELIZABETH RUSSELL

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Bernie Thomas after a year-long battle with cancer. She died peacefully on July 20, 2024, at the age of 88, in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba.

She is predeceased by both her sons, Roland and Russell Thomas, and her first husband, William Thomas, and her sisters, Joanne, Shirley, Dee, Delsie, and her brothers, Russell and Danny.

Mom leaves behind her husband, Robert Anderson, twin daughters, Dale Thomas (Toni) and Dawn Thomas-Jerlo (Michael), daughter-in-law, Christine Thomas (Ken), her grandchildren, Jason Thomas, Chantelle Jerlo (Bill), and Taylor Johnson (Curtis), and the brightest lights of her life, her great-grandchildren, Kayden Thomas, Carsten Geddie, and Elliott Johnson. She also leaves behind her sisters, Maria (Paul) and Margaret, Donna (Tony), Betty and Bertha (Armand), and numerous nieces and nephews.

Mom grew up in the Miramichi, New Brunswick, to parents Deliah and Basil Russell. She was the eldest girl in a family of 12 that boasted three sets of twins and only two boys. She met my dad, had us, and the rest is history.

One of Mom’s greatest joys was travelling from one end of Canada to the other to visit with friends and family. Soon after her travels, she met Robert Anderson, and love blossomed once more. Together, they built a life. We owe a tremendous amount of gratitude and love to Ralph and Elaine Wall, who arranged their blind date and remained close friends ever since. As well, a special thank you and much affection to Lisa and Gord for being there when needed the most. We are so lucky to have you in our lives.

Mom’s personality was larger than life. Everywhere she went, you could hear her laughter. There was never a dull moment in her presence, and one never knew what would come out of her mouth, whether appropriate or not. She was a woman who lived each day to its fullest.

As per her wishes, cremation has taken place, and an intimate interment with family and close friends will be determined at a later date.

A special thank you to all of you who called to offer their well wishes and/or came to personally see her. Those telephone calls and visits meant the world to her.

A special thank you to the nurses, doctors, and staff at Victoria General Hospital for their care of Mom during her final weeks.

Do not stand at my grave and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow; I am the diamond glints on the snow. I am the sunlight on ripened grain; I am the gentle autumn’s rain. When you awaken in the morning’s hush, I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circled flight. I am the soft star that shines at night. Do not stand at my grave and cry. I am not there; I did not die.