BIGATTINI, Bernadette

January 8, 1951 — May 15, 2023

On May 15, 2023, Bernadette went to be with the Lord after a two-month struggle with her heart. Her family is heartbroken.  She was born and raised in Kelowna.  She went to St Joseph’s Elementary School and did her high school in Saskatchewan at St Ursula’s Academy.  Soon after high school, she met the love of her life, Marino, at the A&W in Kelowna.  They married young and started their family soon after.

Bernadette was predeceased by her parents Harold and Chick Whitehouse; her sister Patricia; brothers Nigel and Malcolm; and her nephews Tim and Craig. She will be missed dearly by her loving husband of more than 53 years, Marino; her children, Chad (CJ), Lisa (Karl), and Tyler (Kate); her grandchildren Emma, Nicolas, Sofia, Kaden, Simon, Luke, Matteo, Isabella and Samuel; her siblings Janet, Ian (Sally), Deb (Dave), Bruce (Patty); sister-in-law Flo (Jim); and brother-in-law Reno (Margaret).

Bernadette was very involved in her community. She was a care aide and later a nurse, and she enjoyed her time at Avonlea Home and Pine Acres. For 20 years, Bernadette organized shopping bus tours to Seattle, and she loved her Seattle ladies and planning these trips with her daughter. Bernadette faithfully volunteered at the Legion where she served lunch weekly and planned events such as wheelchair day. The Legion held a special place in her heart as her father was a veteran and the president of the Legion in the Kelowna branch.  Bernadette was known to be a sports fanatic (for both hockey and soccer). She tried to never miss her kids’ or grandkids’ games. Bernadette knew how to make each holiday special. She loved to bake and deliver homemade goods to her family both near and far, and she will be remembered for her Easter bread and cinnamon buns. Every December she hosted “Nana Bake Day” with the grandkids.  She loved going on long drives with Marino. They participated in many car shows with their classic Hot Rod.  She loved a good cup of tea and playing long card games. Bernadette read many books and enjoyed writing. She loved her family so much, especially her 9 grandkids. She counted it a blessing that her children and grandkids all lived in Kelowna.  Bernadette will be remembered as a loving wife who took care of her husband Marino with all of her heart, a wonderful mother to her kids and to everyone who needed a mother figure in their life, and a cheerleader nana to the grandkids.  She has left a huge hole in her family and the community, but her legacy will live on with the people she touched.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4

There will be a Funeral Service to honour Bernadette on Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 1:30 PM at Willow Park Church, 439 Hwy 33, Kelowna, BC V1X 1Y2.

In lieu of flowers, you may make a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society, or the Royal Canadian Legion, Branch 26 Kelowna.

If you wish to send a condolence, post photos, or share a memory, please scroll down the page to the area called “Condolences”.

RECORDING OF SERVICE (note: service starts 30 minutes into recording): click here

Service Details

The service for BIGATTINI, Bernadette is scheduled for Saturday, June 3, 2023, at 1:30 PM. Below you will find the map for the service location and the contact information should you have any questions.

Address & Contact for Service Location:

Willow Park Church, 439 Hwy 33, Kelowna, BC V1X 1Y2

439 Hwy 33, Kelowna, BC V1X 1Y2

Phone:

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Special Requests:

None.

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Funeral Pointers: