Tiffany's Legacy

A tribute to Tiffany Smith of Milford Ohio, who, on Feb 21, 2020, died tragically and suddenly of a suspected seizure at the age of 35 – a beloved wife of Thomas Smith; daughter of Mark and Francie Berning; sister to Allison (Dom) Lattarulo, Lindsey (Peyton) Clifton, and Nathan Berning; and loving mother of Heavenly, her four-month old, beautiful baby girl.
 
“Loving my Jesus, showing my scars, telling my story of how mercy can reach you where you are.” – Casting Crowns
 
These words capture the life of Tiffany Berning better than any other. They are part of the song she shared on Facebook in recent months. She was heading home after a long day of work, when this song popped on the radio and she felt moved to pull over, record and share it with others. Her love of Jesus was real. It was tangible. And she wasn’t shy about sharing it with all whom would listen.
 
A beloved mother, wife, daughter, sister, granddaughter, niece, aunt, cousin and friend, Tiffany made an indelible imprint on the hearts of all who knew and love her. We are, as you might imagine, collectively and individually devasted by her loss.
 
Life was not always easy for Tiffany. From an early age, she battled reoccurring Epileptic seizures which greatly impacted her life. And yet every time a new barrier appeared, she’d find a way to overcome it, together with the loving support of family and friends.
 
Tiffany’s toughest life moments were likely the birthplace of her two greatest strengths – her fierce loyalty and love of family and friends, and her one-of-a-kind grace-filled presence. When Tiffany loved you, she let you know it – in both her words and her actions.
 
And now it’s our turn to show Tiffany our love for her…
 
Please join us in wrapping our prayers and arms around Thomas, Heavenly and the entire Berning, Hitch, and Solid Rock Church families during this devastating time. Here’s how…
 
#1. Prayerfully consider making a donation in honor of Tiffany. Funds raised will help ease the family’s immediate financial burdens and establish an educational fund for Heavenly.
 
#2. In addition to your financial contributions, we ask for your continued prayers for Thomas, Heavenly, Mark, Francie and all of Tiffany’s family and friends as we try and navigate the difficult grief journey.
 
#3. Please consider sharing your memories of Tiffany on this page. We want Heavenly to know everything there is to know about her mother’s quiet beauty, her inner strength, her kind-hearted gestures, her sometimes snarky sense of humor, infectious laughter, one-of-a-kind smiles, and grace-filled presence.
 
Tiffany taught us that we don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room to make the most lasting impression, that we’re never too old to wear Mickey Mouse ears, and that often, our greatest struggles can become our greatest superpowers if only we allow them (and God) to soften our hearts towards others.
 
#4. And finally, we challenge you today and each day forward to look for someone along your path who may be in need of a simple hello, a smile, or an ‘I love you’, and share it generously. Because, as Tiffany and ‘her Jesus’ have taught us, everyone is deserving of dignity, respect, and most of all love.
 
Shine brightly, Sweet Tiff! We love you and miss you dearly. Until we see you again…
 
“My dearest friend, if you don’t mind, I’d like to join you by your side where we can gaze into the stars.” – Jack Skellington, Nightmare Before Christmas