BERNIA BRANDSTAEDTER

Condolences & Memories (12 entries)

• Berni was the love of my life and I still can't believe that she has gone forever. We were more than 30 years best friends (and a little bit more for a while). She was so tenderness and wonderful, we spent such an interesting and exciting time together, first in Munich on Highschool and after that in Berlin on university. She loved every kind of sports, soccer jogging, hiking, climbing, paddling and biking. But most of all, she enjoyed playing her guitar. We shared three wonderful songs: You‘ve got a friend, This old guitar and In my world. We loved to sing together, made trips with her motorbike, hitchhiked across Canada and enjoyed it so much spending time together. After her return to Canada in 1980, we still practised our love and friendship by visiting each other as often as possible. I was very, very sad when she broke our friendship after her mother died. I'm very thankful that you shared your memories. Beloved Berni, thank you so much for all you gave me, I keep you in my heart as long as I live. Rest in peace. - Posted by: Jutta Jaeschke (Friend) on: May 05, 2021

• Truly saddened to hear of Bernia's passing. I conduct the 252 Legion band and the work she did to organize our music library was nothing short of a miracle. Never met a more organized person. She will be sorely missed by the band. RIP Bernia. Your contributions will not be forgotten. - Posted by: Bob Hall (Friend) on: Mar 17, 2021

• I was very sorry to hear that Bernia had lost her cancer battle. I had played music with her for many years and recently had become a bridge student of hers. She was an excellent teacher. I always enjoyed her company, her wit, and her humour. - Posted by: valerie pearson (Band mate and Bridge student) on: Mar 12, 2021

• I was very sad to hear the news of Bernia's passing. Although primarily playing in the #252 Legion Band with her, I had the good fortune to play in many other groups over many years as well. I always enjoyed her conversation and opinions over a beer after rehearsals. I will fondly remember her scolding look as she turned around to the trumpet section, because we were playing too loud. RIP Bernia. - Posted by: Jon Publow (Band mate) on: Mar 12, 2021

• I am very sorry to hear of the passing of Bernia. We started the same year working with CFIA. I found Bernia to be a very fair supervisor and enjoyed working and learning from her. She definitely loved music but the outdoors, canoeing and camping is what I remember mostly. She was a free spirit in my eyes and admired that she did what she loved in life. She was a wonderful person with a friendly smile and I enjoyed the time running into her at Costco to catch up on things. My sincerest sympathies to all who were dear to her. - Posted by: Deborah Ross (co-worker) on: Mar 12, 2021

• I was so sad to learn about Bernia’s passing. She will be missed at the Winnipeg Bridge Club. ...Penny Kohn - Posted by: Penny kohn (Bridge) on: Mar 09, 2021

• When I retired, Bernia gently introduced me to bridge through beginner's lessons. Over the last 6 years I have always looked to her as a mentor and teacher. I have watched from a distance as she has struggled with her illness over the past years and am so sad that she lost the fight. I know when we all resurface at the bridge club there will be a space that Bernia filled. My sympathies to all who knew and cared about her. - Posted by: Marsha Dozar (Friend and student) on: Mar 09, 2021

• Bernie had a great smile and was delightfully frank. I met her through the Rainbow Harmony Project and later at Riverview Health Centre. Great volunteer, very community minded. A real loss for so many people. Rest in peace. - Posted by: Barbara GrahamNorth (Acquaintance) on: Mar 09, 2021

• A small group of friends engaged Bernia to be our tutor for bridge. She was an amazing teacher, and we still often when playing together will comment (or laugh at ourselves) saying.. "Bernia would not be happy with that bidding / or play". She was also willing to fill in at the drop of a hat if someone needed to give a bridge game a pass. Bernia would hop on her bike and head on over. I have good memories of snacking on watermelon and strawberries and playing bridge in the gazebo on warm summer evenings with Bernia. - Posted by: Fiona Fleming (Bridge student and acquaintance) on: Mar 08, 2021

• One memory is being a paddling and tent companion with Bernie and a huge dog- I want to say Shashi but could be wrong on the name but not the size! Man that dog was big! Good thing I am also an animal lover. Very warm thoughts to all her good friends and adventure companions both 2 and 4 legged. Hard to believe that such a young strong woman has died. - Posted by: Gerry Pearson (Knew Berni through OWN) on: Mar 06, 2021

• I will remember Bernia with much fondness. May her memory be a blessing. - Posted by: Evelyn Gillman (Bridge friend) on: Mar 06, 2021

• After I retired 11 years ago, I took bridge lessons at Creative Retirement Manitoba. At one class, Bernia came to talk about the Tuxedo Bridge Club and encouraged us to come and play duplicate bridge. My group of friends and I were terrified to do so, feeling inadequate to begin playing competitive bridge. However, because of Bernia's welcoming and encouraging attitude, we decided to try it out. After going once and having Bernia's taking us under her wing, we never looked back. She became our mentor and we took classes at the Tuxedo Bridge Club whenever she offered them. The amount of time and effort she put into her tutorials was awe inspiring. They were practical, zeroed in on the key elements and remain as my reference material to this day. Also, she supported us by being available at any time to answer our questions. Without her, I can honestly say that I don't believe we ever would have made that leap to duplicate bridge. I can picture her wry smile as she listened to my questions and helped me figure out the solution. She would always make you feel that no question was too stupid to ask, even though I am sure that some were. I will miss her dearly at the bridge games. Her smile of acknowledgement and her encouraging words as she monitored how we were doing were appreciated. She gave freely of herself. I will be forever thankful that I have been fortunate enough to have had Bernia in my life. - Posted by: Patricia Ozechowsky (Bridge Student) on: Mar 06, 2021