Bedard, Bernadette
Bernadette Stephanie “Berns” Bedard, the dynamic maven of detox and dazzling designer, embarked on her ultimate journey without needing a compass or map on September 30, 2024, at the age of 59, in Caledon, Ontario. Toting a suitcase packed with laughter and loving memories, Berns left the terminal we call Earth, having first greeted the world in Port of Spain, Trinidad on September 14, 1965.
Berns’ scholastic saga spun from St. Gabriel’s Primary School Port of Spain through St. Joseph’s Convent Port of Spain, York University, Ryerson University, finishing with a flourish at The Ontario College of Art.
A maestro in the classroom, Berns transformed tykes into scholars during her tenure with the York Regional School Board where she taught grade 7 at Unionville Public School (1994), kindergarten and primary grades through to 2001 in Aurora, Mildmay and Brampton Ontario. Not one to sit idle, she stitched her name into the fabric of the fashion industry as the founder of The Painted Turtle (1991-1994) a high quality children’s clothing line and Passion Fruit Designs (2001), suiting up women to strut with confidence. Her legacy weaved itself into the vibrant tapestry of women’s fitness and bodybuilding competition attire. In her own style, Berns took a detour into the reality TV realm in 2009, adding a splash of her unique spice to screens
everywhere, making appearances in CBC’s The Dragon’s Den and VIVA Network’s Tosca: Flexing at 49.
In an audacious pivot, Berns donned the hat of a Certified Detoxification Specialist, concocting The Real Juicy Detox—a cocktail of insight, wellness, and a twist of candid charm. A spirited influencer, she mixed humor into her candid concoction, leaving her followers intoxicated with inspiration. In her medicinal cannabis crusade, she blazed trails with the same fervor, never shying away from the real high points and lows of her own cancer journey.
Links to just some of her legacy content on social media:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/392627398813622
https://www.facebook.com/bernsbedard
https://www.tiktok.com/@iambernsbedard
https://www.instagram.com/therealjuicydetox/
Berns leaves behind a constellation of stars in her orbit, namely her husband Dalibor Horvat; daughters Danika and Kaia Bedard; her sisters Cathy Ishmael and Debbie Read; her brother-in-law Emir Ishmael; and her nephew Christian Butts, all shining bright with her teachings. She follows in the ethereal footsteps of her parents, Andrea Mary and Paul Finbar (Barry) Butts, and her late brother-in-law Stephen Read, as they navigate the cosmos.
There wasn’t a shindig big enough on this planet for Berns. Should you wish to raise a toast to her luminous soul, consider a contribution to McGill University’s Grow Cannabis Research, a cause dear to Berns’s heart of gold and green
(https://muhcfoundation.com/works/grow-cannabis-research).
The family is in the capable hands of Tranquility Burial & Cremation Services in Mississauga, ON. Berns’ vivacious laugh, her larger-than-life personality, and her remarkable zest will live on, inviting us all to take up the baton and sprint joyously through our own races. Berns has undoubtedly organized the meta after-party of a lifetime. Her flair for life, emboldened by humor, will be remembered as one of her most wearable designs.
Berns was a shining light in my healing journey and she made a lasting impression on my soull.
My love & condolences to her family and everyone who loved her! Her memory will be a blessing to all those who knew her and loved her!
You are always in my heart. I will miss you’re bubbly laughter especially when you we’re rebounding in the morning or afternoon or evening while sharing your knowledge of many different topics. I will always cherish the conversations that we had and we’ll learn how to be courageous in my own life because of you. There is a shining star in the heavens tonight that will be there Illuminating the path for all of those who no you. Burns, love you. Till we meet again
,God bless until we meet again. Eternal rest upon your soul…dance with the angels…
Bernssss! My Caribbean Sista and Virgo Sista! You shone you love and light whereever you were. May you continue on your journey sharing your brightness. Sincerest condolences to your loved ones and sending them prayers for strength and comfort 🙏🏾💕
My Condolences to Berns entire family and community of loved friends she shared her life with and her delicious husband Dali as she lovingly calls him. Berns you certainly caught my attention with your beautiful smile and aura, I admire how you make every effort to keep everyone involved and included in your journey right up till the end and we all wouldn’t have it any other way, I love listening to your inspiring voice and stories. Spread your beautiful colourful Wings as we celebrate your new journey you have now continued on 🇹🇹🫶🏼🇹🇹
It was a honour and a deep privilege to have met and known Berns . A bright star a shining soul.
You Lived …You Loved …You certainly Laughed! Shine bright in eternity Berns ‼️🎉
To her entire family, and all who adored Berns, my sincere condolences!! No one will forget this loving, vibrant and inspirational soul. It is not rest in peace for Bernsie, she would be doing angels’ work! Love you always ♥️♥️♥️🙏🏽
All my love to Bernsie’s loved ones. No one loved like her. I first met her at a Dispenza retreat in Cancun and she stole me heart. She and Dali visited me in Tennessee and it was heaven on earth for a few weeks and sadly missed her and Dali after they left.
No one has loved me so perfectly as Berns and I absolutely adore every moment I’ve shared with her.
She holds a place so dear in my life. I’m so grateful for her.
Be blessed ya’ll