Bernadette Wynne Shepherd,
September 5 1963-August 17 2012
On August 17 Bernadette “Bernie” Shepherd passed away from cancer. It is with great love and great sorrow that she is remembered and mourned by her husband Ken Rasch, her mother Shirley Buday, her brothers Jim Shepherd and Dan Buday (Vicki Summerfeldt), her father Duane Buday, and a multitude of extended family and friends. In her last few weeks, she was thankful for the visits and kindness from friends, coworkers, and the spiritual guidance from her aunt, Sheila Hanson. She faced death with peace and bravery, and her greatest concerns were not for her own life, but for how others would get on without her, including her cats. She was attended to with great vigilance by her intensely loyal husband Ken, her mother, and her devoted brother Jim. Her life was not long, but she squeezed as much joy and love out of it as she could, especially in the years after meeting Ken. Anyone lucky enough to meet a soul mate like him is truly blessed, so everyone should take solace in the fact she was deeply loved. Joining Ken in grief is his loving family: his father Lloyd Rasch, his mother Christine, his brothers Tim (Jennifer) and Guy (Louise), his sisters Tina Osgood and Lynn Rasch. This family claimed Bernie as one of their own, and felt blessed to have been a part of her life. In turn, she loved them with humbling devotion and joy. If you knew Bernie, she was thankful for your friendship and generosity, which she always gave in return. As a hairdresser, she made hundreds of connections with clients, and she was glad to have met you, and she was proud to make Moose Jaw her new home. When I asked her how she wanted to be remembered in this writing, she said “Bright Eyes” by Art Garfunkel said it all. If possible, go on the internet and listen to it once while you think about her. Chief Tecumseh wrote, “When it comes your time to die, be not like those whose hearts are filled with the fear of death, so that when their time comes they weep and pray for a little more time to live their lives over again in a different way. Sing your death song and die like a hero going home.” On August 17, Bernie came home.