Colleen Berno of Christina Lake, and formerly of Maple Ridge, BC, passed away at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital on December 7, 2015 after complications associated with cancer.
She was 70 years old, and gorgeous as ever right to the end. Colleen was born on January 10, 1945 in New Westminster, BC to parents Chuck, and Blanche Pearsall. The family resided in Maple Ridge, BC where Colleen lived for many years. Colleen worked at numerous hospitals as director of payroll for Fraser Health and made many friends along the way. She met and married her soulmate Ernie Berno, and upon retirement in 2006 they moved to Christina Lake to enjoy a quieter life, and built their dream home knowing they would spend their lives together there on the water. Summers were spent at the lake hosting friends and family, cooking up meals that Martha herself would envy, and enjoying a daily happy hour on their patio. Winters were spent skiing at Red Mountain, visiting family, and traveling the world. Colleen was extremely ambitious and got her degree in business administration later in life at 55. She loved to learn and was always up for an adventure. She had a gorgeous laugh and a feisty personality that made her a joy to be around. She had a passion for fashion and was always ahead of the curve. Colleen rocked stilettos in her 60’s and had a youthfulness that was rare and amazing. She was full of life, and she was taken from us too soon. Colleen’s last few hours were spent with Ernie, her sister and best friend Leah, and her niece Angie.
Colleen is survived by her loving husband Ernie Berno, her sons; Brent and Derek Kirkwood, 2 grandsons; Keaton and Karson Kirkwood, great-grandson Eli, her siblings; Diane Buckton, Heather (Bob) Mattila, Peter Pearsall, Leah (Ed) Perrett, her step-children; Tracy (Kevin) Berno and Anthony Berno (John), her step-grandchildren; Zoe and Vienna as well as her two adopted cats, Howie and Vinnie. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews and close friends who loved her dearly.
Colleen is predeceased by her parents Chuck and Blanche Pearsall and her brother-in-law Cleave Buckton.
There will be a Celebration of our beautiful Colleen’s life at the Vancouver Golf Club (771 Austin Ave., Coquitlam, BC) on January 31, 2016 at 11:00 am. Al Grywacheski of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services™ has been entrusted with arrangements.
The family wishes to thank Drs. Merry, Schumacher, Lawe, and Scotland as well as the wonderful Nurses in the Emergency and Surgical Ward as well as the Chemo Therapy Unit.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family’s online register at
www.myalternatives.ca