Obituary of Berna McDermott

It is with heavy hearts that the family of Berna Eugene McDermott announce her passing on June 4, 2023 at the age of 88. Born in Cedar Camp on September 22, 1934; she was the daughter of the late James and Elsie (Snider) Parlee and the wife of the late John McDermott.

This is our mother’s story and we feel fortunate to have had such a special lady as our mother. We feel humbled at times, by what she accomplished in her long life. She lived each day with her faith, personal  integrity and a caring heart guiding her decisions. Berna McDermott passed away June 4th at the age of 88. Berna met her husband John at a community dance and after a brief courtship they were married in November 1956. They bought the family farm the same year from John’s parents; becoming the second generation of farmers. Berna & John developed the farm into a thriving dairy farm while they raised 10 children. On reflection it’s hard to fathom how hard Berna worked to raise her family without the aid of many modern conveniences. She washed in a wringer washer a multitude of cloth diapers and cooked all meals on a wood stove for 20 years before acquiring an electric stove. Social events with family were looked forward to and holiday events were true celebrations with a multitude of family and friends gathering at the farm. Berna was a prolific knitter and liked to sew; she gifted many of her quilts. She was an avid reader and was well known by her grandchildren for her exemplary baking skills. Life dealt a few setbacks with losing her home to fire in 1963 and losing the milking barn in 1987, with significant loss of livestock. Tragedy struck in 1989 with the sudden death of her son Chris and again in 1994 with the death of her husband John. While grieving her husband she learned to manage the farm with the aid of her two youngest sons and accomplished learning to drive at the age of 62. Berna suffered the loss of a second son Mike in 2004 with his sudden death. Berna was so loved, clearly demonstrated by the multitude of visitors to the hospital during the last few weeks of her life. Her children supported her wish to live at the farm as long as she could and take comfort in knowing she accomplished this last goal. We love you Berna; rest in peace.

She will live on in the hearts of her children: Jim, Paul (Connie), Randy, John (Pamela), Leona Bruce (Clarence), Lisa McDermott, Mark and Joel (Pamela); her daughter-in-law, Paula McDermott; her siblings: Raymond Parlee (Mildred), Marlene Adair, Dawn Graham, Carol Scott, Doreen McLong, Karen Tompkins (Francis) and Holly Northrup (Greg); her grandchildren:  Scott, Ryan, Helena, Robert, Kevin, David, Celia, Laura, Joseph, Colby, Kelsey, Sarah, Rachel, Curt, Mya, Skye, Liam, Sean, Lauren, Erika & John-Michael; as well as several great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.

Along with her parents and her loving husband, she is predeceased by her sons: Chris and Mike McDermott; her brothers: Wayne and Terry Parlee and by her infant sister, Ruth.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the compassionate care of Wallace Funeral Home, 34 Sunnyside Drive, Sussex, (506-433-1176) from where visitation will be held on Wednesday, June 7, 2023 from 7-9pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church on Thursday, June 8, 2023 at 11:00am.

Donations in memory of Berna may be made to a charity of the donor's choice. Personal condolences to the family and donations may be made through wallacefuneralhome.com