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.
I write this with mixed feelings. Sadness for Berns and her family for time they will not have and grateful Berns is no longer suffering and is in paradise. Sending healing vibes to her loved ones.
Berns,
You danced to the beat of your own drum. I truly miss the freedom in our chats and that happy inner feeling afterwards. You are a devine soul.
My sincerest condolences to Berns’s family and closest friends! Berns’s presence in the physical was truly magical and in her passing will be even more transcendent. Berns was such a catalyst for change in my life, and I will be forever grateful for how she supported me through some pivotal moments. I love her beyond love! May I continue to be blessed to feel her presence in my life!! 🙌🏾
Berns was a bright light in this world. She is a shining star upon the world now and always. She will be missed, yet remembered with great joy!
I am so sorry to hear the passing. I like to pass my condolences to her family. God bless
Berns Accomplished so much in her short life. I will always remember her journey baby.
I am honoured to have known Berns. We worked out together and kept in touch all those years after. Thank you for always Encouraging me, even when you are facing your own challenges. Thank you… for being YOU.
I met Berns in a juicing Facebook group years ago. Her energy was always bright and bold. I enjoyed our online interaction. Although this is a huge loss, thankful that she is at rest. My thoughts and prayers are with her family. RIP 🕊️🕊️
Thank you to her family, for sharing her with all of us. What an amazing spirit she is and I am grateful to have stumbled upon her, and learn so much.
There’s a little black spot on the sun today
May her memory be a blessing.
My condolences to all of Berns’ family and friends! She was such and an amazing and inspiring person and she touched so many people.
Prayers for all! She’s in a much better place and smiling down on us! Till we meet again Berns!
How unfortunate for me that I never met this beautiful and powerful soul.
Surely she lives in the eternity of God’s loving grace. ❤️
When you lose someone you can’t imagine living without, your heart breaks wide open, and the bad news is you never completely get over the loss. You will never forget them. However, in a backwards way, this is also the good news. They will live on in the warmth of your broken heart that doesn’t fully heal back up, and you will continue to grow and experience life, even with your wound. It’s like badly breaking an ankle that never heals perfectly, and that still hurts when you dance, but you dance anyway with a slight limp, and this limp just adds to the depth of your performance and the authenticity of your character. GBNF
Oh Berns. Never could there be enough words to describe your awesome personality and the core of who you are to the soul. Simply an amazing woman thru amd thru. All those that knew you were blessed. May all those touched by you, experience peace knowing you are are forever in yours. Xoxo until we meet again Berns.
Sincere condolences to Berns’ family and friends. I first heard Berns on Cannabis Health Radio and she was a true inspiration to me. I recently read that an ancient word for a warrior or hero was called a bern and Berns certainly was that. She will always be with you all. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
Suzanne, Ireland.
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