Obituary of Bernadine Labree Morin

Reverend Bernadine Gertrude LaBree Morin passed away peacefully, after a long illness, into her loving Savior’s arms, her family by her side, on Thursday, January 10, 2019.

Bernadine will be greatly missed by her close-knit family and devoted friends. They will celebrate her life with a memorial service at a later time.

She is predeceased in death by her parents, Everett and Margaret LaBree, brothers Richard LaBree and Joseph LaBree, sisters Mary LaBree Fullen and Ann LaBree Pietrewitz. She is survived by her youngest sister Judith LaBree Barnes of Homosassa, FL.

Bernadine will be remembered lovingly by her children; Charlotte Thornhill and Gary of Roanoke, VA; Angela Dennett and husband of Louisville, KY; Melody Ruiz and Marcos of Herrodsburg, KY; Larry Mark Morin and Mary of Redding, CA; her grandchildren, many of whom knew her as “Bunna”; Tina Edwards and husband Glen, Victoria, Haley; Victor Atkins and wife Brittni, Ava, Kyla, Carter and Liam; Christopher Atkins and wife Danielle, Alexia; Lauren Thornhill; Sherry Matlock; Eric Matlock; Crystal Matlock; Joseph Booker; Alexander “Quincy” Lewis; Austin Woolwine; Cristian Ruiz; Isabella Ruiz; Vida Marie Morin; Abigail Morin; Joshua Morin and wife Hannah; along with many great-grand children, and beloved nieces, nephews; surrogate daughter Emy Murphy and husband Larry of Schenectady, NY; special Brother-in-law John Pietrewitz and wife Linda. Surrogate daughter Stephanie Lamb, Katie, Caleb of Murray, KY.  She is remembered with amazing love by her longest and closest friend Mary Jane Bruckner, who kept her supplied with beautiful stationary, still hand writing notes and calling every week to encourage her. Darren Potter, devoted pastor, friend, surrogate son, mentor, prayer partner and recipient of many blueberry pies – unending thanks and gratitude for years of support and to Melanie (chocolate cream pie for her birthday), Kristen and Kaitlyn Potter for being a loving part of her extended family.

Bernadine was a precious lady with a servant’s heart. She went to Girl’s Trade School in Worcester, MA and began her first career right out of high school as a printer. She was ordained in the Four Square Gospel Church in 1982 and served in the ministry full time for many years. She had a heart for prison ministry and went to many jails and prisons, sharing her love for Jesus by preaching the gospel, passionate to see people saved and lives changed. She attended college at Murray State University in Murray, KY, studying Social Work and most recently Seminary at Liberty University in Lynchburg, VA. Her health prevented her from completing her degree, but she never stopped learning. She continued ministering to people right until her last months and days, each nurse and aid who took the time to talk with her felt that she cared. She asked how they were doing today, asked about the families and children and gave encouragement to those struggling in their tasks.  She had many “adopted” children and grandchildren and a wide circle of friends. If you were lucky enough to be one hers, she loved to spoil you with gifts of food. On Sabbath, back in her younger years, there was almost always a guest (or many) invited to lunch who had come to church for the first time that week. Meals were a time of celebration – of food and friends. She was known as the “Cookie Grandma”, at Christmas time, faithfully baking, decorating and lovingly hand wrapping each cookie, shipping them to her grandchildren all over the country. In the recent couple years, as her health declined, the cookie boxes may not make it in time for Christmas, but it was important that each child know she was thinking of them. She loved to hear the squeals of delight as the packages were opened and it was against the rules for the box to be opened until she was on the phone and could hear.  She shipped pies and cookies overseas to her Grandson-in-law, Glen when he was in Iraq and Afghanistan and pecan pie made it to Kentucky for Son-in-law Marcos for his birthday, as it was right after Christmas. She grew most of the food for the family when her children were growing up, teaching her girls to garden, can, freeze, make jellies and jams, collect eggs, milk the cow and make butter, sharing the surplus with friends and family. She had a request of her Lord, that when she got to Heaven she would like to see all the meals and foods she cooked lined up a long table. No doubt it would be as far as the eye can see! 

Bernadine was an avid writer. She loved to recount stories from her childhood and family history, Christmases past, her grandparents, parents and siblings. She kept every card and letter written to her and it was important that each grandchild get a birthday card with a crisp five-dollar bill in it each year.

Bernadine was always dressed to a tee and loved satins, velvets, lace and shimmer with adorable hats, gloves, purses and matching jewelry. Many of her clothes she sewed for herself, as she also had taken dressmaking in high school. She also sewed matching outfits for her girls when they were young, often re-purposing an outfit of her own for the fabrics. She loved miniature strings of lights, in seasonal colors and they were hung in her home to make it feel cozy and like a celebration year round. She was an athletic youngster, horseback riding, fishing, ice skating, captain of the basketball team in high school, gardening and hiking. She loved music, was in the drum core in high school, she loved to sing and took many years of voice lessons to become a soloist, played tambourine and sang with many worship teams she was part of.

Bernadine celebrated life, family and friends as each one was a treasure to her. She made sure if someone was important to her that they knew it in tangible ways.

Special thanks to Wendy Spurlock for helping the family get Bernadine’s home squared away when she went into full time nursing care – we couldn’t have done it without you The family would also like to thank the special staff who cared for Bernadine in her last weeks and days: Dietary – Brianna for working tirelessly to try and find food she could eat; Recreation – Michelle for bringing her tablet to her every day so she could stay connected on Facebook with friends and family; Front desk – Nancy for helping her many times and praying with her; Custodian – Kim for being mindful not to use chemicals that would trigger her asthma; and most especially – Nurses Kaitlyn and Diamond; CNAs Tyler and Joseph in her last hours, for your gentle, tender, loving care of our Mommy, Grandma and Bunna.

In lieu of flowers the family asks that you consider a donation in Bernadine's name to SHIELD CHAPLAINCY at - WWW.SHIELDCHAP.ORG

Arrangements by Simpson Funeral Home. (540)366-0707.