I love you to the moon and back.  You truly showed me how to be a mother, wife, along with morals and values in life. You always told me, " what we are given in life doesn't  have to be what we except, break the mold and be different."   I have to say I broke the mold because of your and uncle Johns love and wisdom.   You two were the best to me and my siblings.  Fly high with your newly earned angel wings because I know he gave you the biggest and baddest when you arrived. 
🥰

I will forever be grateful for the family that Mommom created. Without her I would not have my wife or my beautiful children today. Mommom played a huge part in the spectacular woman my wife has become. I am truly going to miss our talks and chillin watching crime tv. I am very happy to have been able to get to know her over the years.

In memory of my Grandmother, part 2

When my mom called me Tuesday and said we needed to come to Florida, we called the kids out of school, packed up the car, and got on the road. As time went on, things were getting worse, and there was question about if we were going to make it in time. We did make it, thank god, and when I walked in the room and held my grandmoms hand, she opened her eyes and smiled at me and she said “you made it.” She told me she loved me and my whole family spent the day with her. 

She waited for us. She knew we were all there, she knew that her family rallied for her and showed up for her. We loved her, and she knew that until the very end. She waited for us to get there, and then she waited for us to leave the hospital and when she went, it was peaceful, with her daughters by her side. 

I’m going to miss my grandmom. I wish that the people we love could stay forever, and I wish we didn’t have to say goodbye. But she is with Poppop now, and I know he is making her laugh up there as I write this. Rest in peace Mommom and god give my family strength during this time. The sadness comes in waves, but I know that if Mommom taught us all anything it was to be strong and how to persevere through hard times. We are really going to miss you Mommom 🫶😞

In Memory of my Grandmother, part 1

When my grandmom was 16, she got pregnant with my mom. She was strong and brave and chose to have my mom and a year later, my aunt Dee. She was a bad ass and when I got pregnant at 16, she was there in the room when I found out. She gave me courage and strength, like if she could do it I could too, so I chose motherhood. 

When she started getting sicker, there was question about whether or not she could travel for my sister’s wedding. Like the bad ass she is, nothing was stopping her. She said to me, “I want to see my granddaughter get married,” so despite being sick, she came to PA and she watched her granddaughter get married. 

When she asked me to pick a cross stitch after she made one for every one else in the family, I knew I had to be really picky about it. She was only going to make me one. She breathed down my neck about it a little bit until I finally chose one. She struggled getting through it, but she was determined, and just before she got too sick, she was able to finish my art, something I will get to cherish for the rest of my days. 

A few weeks ago when we found out that my grandmom had lung cancer, I called her because I wanted to check on her. We had such a special conversation, about Poppop and about Kyle and about life and the importance of laughter. I’m so grateful to have had that last conversation with her. She taught me that behind every strong man is an even stronger woman.

Ice Cream 🍦 together on the waterfront in Palmetto.

Dinner at Holy Cross Catholic Church where we are members together.

Bernese was my  neighbor on 1 st Street and was the first to introduce me to pool aerobics with Big John. 
Over the years I admired her jewelry style and her spunk
She will be missed by all of us over the summer months..

I will always be grateful for the summers I spent down the shore with Morgan, Mommom, and Poppop. Mommom was my biggest supporter, and I feel so honored to have been loved by her. When they moved to Florida, I couldn’t even be upset — they were heading to sunny, palm-tree-filled Florida, and I was just excited to visit them.

The memories we made at their house will stay with me forever. Every Christmas down there was full of laughter, late nights, and our parents yelling for us to go to bed. But no matter how far they lived, Mommom always made sure we were together for the holidays.

There will always be an empty space in my heart for my Mommom Bernie, but I will always keep her memory alive in the way I love, the stories I tell, and the traditions I carry on. It brings me peace knowing she’s in heaven, dancing with Poppop.

Love these great memories ❤️...always with her wonderful smile!

Gary's surprise retirement party in 2023...we cannot begin to tell you how wonderful it was see your Mom and have her celebrate with us!

I'm so lucky to have an incredible woman like you as my Grandmom 🩷

My favorite memory of my Mommom Bernadette is her attending my wedding. I'm so grateful she was able to make it even though she wasn't feeling good. She was so determined to be there for my day and knowing that she cared so much and was able to make it makes my heart so full.

Mommy,
I'm going to miss our 9:30 am morning calls solving the world's problems, and hearing all the activities you had planned for the day.  So let God know that is still our time. 
Our mother daughter bonding trips to the casinos. Something I got all to myself.
Our bingo adventures oh how we would laugh at all the silly things and split our winnings when we got home. 
Sharing meals when we went out to eat and still having leftovers.
How the silliest things would make you laugh.
How you would buy your jewelry first then find an outfit to match. 
There are so many things I'm going to miss about you Mommy but most of all I'm going to miss your voice telling me "everything is going to work out."
I love you forever Mommy.

I will always remember my grandmother wrapped in a polka dot towel, riding her little bike home from water aerobics with a smile on her face. I will remember her cooking for so many of us, watching jeopardy on the little tv in the kitchen. I will remember that she loved me, even when I was being a real pain. I will remember how hard we laughed that one time we did bag bingo, and how she kept yelling at us to be quiet. The way she fought to be at my sister’s wedding. The way she gave us somewhere to go when we needed it. I will remember so many things about her, and I miss her already.

My memories are from Drexel Hill and Lazy River Campground when my parents began camping there and John and Bernadette were our next door  neighbors. We had amazing fourth of July barbeques  and Bernie and John  who would be dressed from top to toe in red, white and blue as we sent up the flag and sang. Not to mention the banjo sing alongs on Saturday nights. Playing cards, bingo, horseshoes and bocce ball were some favorite things to do as she cheered all her fellow campers on. . Most important was her love for her family who she cherished and she was so happy when they came in the summer and still do. Rest peacefully Bernadette aka Marianne 🙏😇💕

Here's a funny memory about my mom. When John and I were getting married my 2 sons and my nephew  ages 7,  8, and 9 were part of our wedding party as junior groomsmen. John thought it was a good idea to buy them pocket knives as a gift. My mom was yelling at him saying "that that was not an appropriate gift for kids!" He said "it's fine, they're mature for their ages" the boys were ecstatic! Not even 30 seconds later, one of the boys came crying and bleeding, one of the others had cut him. My mom kept saying "I told you so!" And for the next 36 years she reminded him about it and to listen to her because she was always right! 🤣🤣🤣

This was the Easter parade at Terra Ceia Manor. Bernadette was a good friend and neighbor!

This obituary is on spot: Bernie was always matched head to toe. She and Big John have made such an impact on this park and our many residents. They will be missed every day, but we will have both daughters living amongst us, which will make our hearts happy. Rest in peace, sweet friend of mine!

OBITUARY

Bernadette Deborah Reihl

February 25, 1946 – October 15, 2025

Groover Funeral Home at Mansion Memorial Park

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