Bernadette Marie Walsh

Bernadette Marie (Bun) Walsh

Bun passed away peacefully on Thursday January 14th at the age of 75, surrounded by her children. She is once again with the love of her life, her husband of 51 years, Dr. Michael Walsh who passed away three months ago and is dearly missed. Loving mother to Jo-Anne, Michael, Susan, Paul and David. Respected mother-in-law to Don Campbell, Doug Smith, and the late Heidi Walsh. Cherished grandmother to Adam and Kathleen Walsh, Sara and Krista Campbell and Jacob Smith. Bun is survived by her devoted sisters Mabel Parsons (Kevin) of Flatrock Nfld., Josephine Maher (Charles) of Quincy Mass., sister-in-law Katherine Penton of New Bedford Mass., and brother-in-law Dr. Kevin Walsh (Louise) of St, John’s Nfld. Bun is predeceased by her adored parents Aneas and Catherine Penton, sisters Mary Bridget Penton and Grace Mahoney (Fred), and big brother Pierce Penton, who nicknamed her Bun when she was five years old. Bun was born in the small fishing village of Joe Batts Arm, Fogo Island Newfoundland, on April 21, 1934. Following the death of her eldest sister Mary, the family moved to St. John’s, where Bun attended Littledale Catholic Girls School and graduated as a nurse from St. Clare’s Mercy Hospital. Bun was very proud of her work as a public health nurse in St. John’s. Bun and Mike met and married in St. John’s and had three children before the family moved to Toronto. In the early 60’s Bun supported her young family, working as a nurse in the burn unit of Sunnybrook Hospital in Toronto while Mike was completing his studies in Pathology. After a brief return to St. John’s, Mike and Bun moved to Barrie Ontario in 1965, where they settled, had two sons and lovingly raised their five children in close partnership. Bun greeted everyone with a brilliant smile, sparkling eyes and a defiantly positive attitude, even in her later years, when she was in ailing health. “You can choose to be happy or choose to be miserable,” she would say. “I choose to be happy.”
The family wishes to extend our deepest gratitude to the Angels on the Allendale Ward of the IOOF Seniors Home who cared for Bun with love and compassion during the three months she waited to rejoin Mike. Also a very special thank you to Father Frank McDevitt, Pastor of St. Mary’s Parish in Barrie who provided much needed wisdom and guidance during this very difficult time. Friends may call at the Steckley-Gooderham Funeral Home (30 Worsley St.) Barrie from 7-9 p.m. Monday. Funeral Mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 65 Amelia St., on Tuesday, January 19, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. Interment St. Mary's Cemetery. If desired, in lieu of flowers, donations to the Royal Victoria Hospital Foundation’s “I Believe” campaign in support of the Simcoe-Muskoka Regional Cancer Centre would be greatly appreciated by the family. If donations were made to the RVH Foundation in memory of Dr. Michael Walsh, please consider that donation a tribute to both Mike and Bun.
Condolences may be forwarded through www.steckleygooderham.com.