Condolence: Bernie; There are moments in life when you realize that there are those who truly genuine and truly innocent. Most of us do not take the time to reflect and acknowledge people who see life as it is. We don't live as they do,they live as we hope live. A life of simplicity honesty,and innocence! Through Bernadette we have all realized life like we have never known. Hearts touched, hearts full,hearts saddened. By life cut short! I love you Bernie and I will see you in the other side. Love, Dana - your brother in law

Condolence: Bernadette, I am going to miss you so much. I always thought I'd take you to the Hollow Reed Dance and dinner on Friday nights forever. You are such a kind and thoughtful person. You are so lucky to have such wonderful people as Phyllis and Fred take you into their beautiful family! You were truly blessed to be with them. You will always be in my thoughts, especially when I go to Dunkin Donuts and Starbucks! You loved your ice coffee! 😍 Miss you and love you so much

Condolence: First, to Phyllis and Freddy; Thank you for the wonderful life you gave Bernie: a loving family, endless happy memories, her own familiar home, medical care you made possible for her to access, putting up with Toto, making sure she got to all of her activities and including her in all of yours. I am going to miss her telephone calls reminding me of upcoming birthdays and holidays, and then her thank you calls (which you made possible) when her gifts were received. I wish I could be there in person to bid her goodbye and to mourn with you, her family. I will remember the many times she came to have a sleep over at our house and our trips to the little Catholic church in DeRuyter with breakfast at the tiny café across the street after, of course. I have many pictures of special occasions - with your family and with mine - to remember her by. My very favorite picture is of the colorful pile of her ABC (already been chewed) gum balls on her night stand - chewed just long enough to get the sugar out but fast enough to still leave the color. She was loving, funny, extremely observant, and appreciative. I never dreamed I would outlive her! It was a privilege to be part of her wonderful life. Bernie, I miss you! Thank you for the love you shared so generously with John and me. And thank you, Phyllis and Freddy for your wonderful care.

Condolence: Bernie: I feel as though I tell those in my life after they have left how very much i love and appreciated them. I love you and was very blessed to have known you for the short amount of time that I was afforded. Thank you for all of the amazing memories every party, holiday or get together we had over the years. I will miss your laughter and your beautiful soul the most. You were always smiling and it made everyday brighter. Kevin

Condolence: Bernie; There are moments in life when you realize that there are those who truly genuine and truly innocent. Most of us do not take the time to reflect and acknowledge people who see life as it is. We don't live as they do,they live as we hope live. A life of simplicity honesty,and innocence! Through Bernadette we have all realized life like we have never known. Hearts touched, hearts full,hearts saddened. By life cut short! I love you Bernie and I will see you in the other side. Love, Dana - your brother in law

Condolence: Bernie I seriously can't believe we are sitting here at the kitchen table without you.Its so hard to grasp that you are not going to be physically with us anymore. There are so many memories over the last 25 years that we have had it would be impossible to put them all down, but one thing that is consistent is that every one of our memories with you were all happy. How many of us in this lifetime can one say that every memory that they have had with their family member is a happy one? Bernie, I will remember not only how happy you made me ,but how happy you made my children. I will forever remember every time we came over to moms and Emersyn and Sydney would run over to you so excited to spend the day with you laughing, dancing, watching movies and endless conversations about anything just so they could spend some time with you. You Bernie had a magical way about you that made everyone around you happy. Your smile was contagious and forever will be etched in my brain. I will miss you Bernie and will never grasp why you left us so soon, but I am so grateful for every moment we had together and I know you are smiling that beautiful smile in heaven. All my love ...Pam

Condolence: Bern - As I sit here trying to find the "right" words to say goodbye to you, I realize that there aren't any right words. You have been a part of our family for over the past twenty-five years and as far as i know, you were (and still are) like a sister to me. As an only child, you taught me something that no one else could. The virtue of patience. To say you were the most patient person I have ever met would be an understatement. Your patience for not only life, but everyone else that touched you was simply endearing. The light and positivity you brought to a room was irreplaceable. You brought out the best qualities in everyone that surrounded you. Whether it was a bad day or bad mood, the sight of you immediately brightened my day, as well as everyone elses. I will never go to Dunkin, Subway, or see a movie without having you in the back of my mind. You were an inspiration to all and will continue to live your legacy through our family. We will love and miss you dearly. Life without you will never be the same. I love you!

Condolence: Bernie! We love you! You are such a wonderful force in our lives. We love you! You brought so much love an joy to our family. YOU are our family. You taught us so many life lessons...patience, kindness, acceptance, love, joy, unconditional love, happiness. You had an infectious laugh, your little dance made us all so happy but you especially made us laugh at family parties when you swhttp://www.scheppfamily.com/book-of-memories/2832029/Roberts-Bernadette/leave-condolence.php#iped snacks. We love you! you made all of us better people to understand and be caring and sensitive. You enriched our lives and we will miss you so much. We love you. You impacted our lives, the kids, the grand kids, the friends, everyone. You are a beam of happiness and We love you. Rest in peace, Bernie. you had a family that adored and love you so much. you brought us so much joy.

Condolence: So sorry to hear about the passing of Bernadette. Always enjoyed talking to her at day hab It always tickled me how shy she was. She was a joy to have on my ARC run the short time I transported her.

Condolence: Bernie was a precious character and we are privileged to have known her. We met her through my parents, John and Avis Portney. After she lost her mother to cancer, Bernie found a new family who made it possible for her to stay in her own home. Overnight she became an aunt, cousin, sister, niece and an adopted daughter to Phyllis and Freddie. She loved it and she loved life - especially holidays, good naps, a long foot or back rub and an occasional sleep over at the Portney house where popcorn was always a favorite snack. You were loved, Bernie - and you will be missed.

Condolence: Fruff and Fred, My thoughts and prayers are with you and the whole family. I will forever remember sweet Bernadette and especially that cute little giggle of hers. Sending lots of love

Condolence: To the family of Bernadette, I knew Bernadette through Avis and John Portney and her mom also. Bernie was a sweet girl, I always liked her and am very sorry to hear of her passing. My condolences and prayers for comfort for all of you. May God Bless.

Condolence: To Grandma and grandpa, Bernie has brightened many peoples life,including mine everytime I got too see her it made my day she was always happy and always had a smile on her face. I wish she was with us in person,but she will always be with us in spirit no matter what. She is so special in every way. But we will see her again and every birthday I celebrated with her was a blessing,everyday I saw her was a blessing and I know that she will be blowing out candles with me in spirit. Iwill never forget her she really brightened my life I can't even describe it in words how much I loved her. Thankyou so much for bringing her into the family it has been the best gift I have ever asked for. I love you and thankyou for the wonderful gift that she is.

Condolence: As I have loved you, Love one another, This new commandment: Love one another. By this shall men know Ye are my disciples, If ye have love One to another... John 13:34 Dearest Aunt Phyllis , Fred and all who loved Bernadette, Bernie became a part of your family. You opened your hearts and lives to her. Your love gave Bernadette happiness, fulfillment and contentment. Take comfort in knowing she adored all of you and enjoyed her life because of you. My prayers are with you for Peace and Comfort as you say goodbye to your darling. With love, Joni Granato Dominy Jesus said to us, " A new commandment I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so also you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you love one another.”