Help our family put our beautiful mother Bernice to rest.

My name is Samantha, and as many of you knew, my mother was Bernice. This morning, I was notified that she had passed away at Riverbend Hospital. There is no easy way to describe the hurt that we as a family are feeling right now. We've lost our glue, our best friend, our mother, and my kids' grandma.

I don't really know what to say when it comes to these kinds of things, but I think people should know what's going on.

On 3/20/2025, my mother took her own life. She passed away in the hospital by herself because we, her children, were not notified, and we did not know where she was. She was preparing to move to be near me, my brother, and her grandkids just the day before. She was going through some life changes, and her heart ached. She was hurting more than any of us realized, and the thought of her not being by our side crushes us. We wish we were there with her, to comfort her and tell her how much she was loved. To tell her that this shouldn't have happened, and she deserved a long and happy life.

My mother was full of life. She loved her family, her friends, and her animals. She loved all crafting and could figure out whatever you put in front of her and always had something special that she made on hand to give out. She loved camping, the outdoors, traveling, and the beach. She lived a rocky life and made it through what you couldn't imagine someone making through. But I think in the end it just became too much, and she needed the peace that she craved so badly. Her smile could light up a room and was incredibly infectious. You knew that if you called her, she would be there for you—no questions asked and as fast as she could.

We are doing this GoFundMe to raise money to put her to rest and handle her belongings. I don't know what any of these things cost or even really what I am doing. But please help show my mother, Bernice, the love and kindness that she deserved so, so much.

At this time, I am unsure of the service date or celebration time, but will update the GoFundMe as soon as my family has grieved and there is a plan in place to celebrate the woman she was.

Thank you for any and all donations that you can offer. Our family is short of words to express our gratitude for your kindness.