On Wednesday, September 28th, 2022, Bernadette Igtiben Dreyer peacefully passed away in the home she lovingly curated with her warmth in Valley Center, San Diego, California. Bernadette is survived by her husband Samuel Lewis, daughter Marie Gabrielle and son Samuel Kenneth. Bernadette would have turned 74 years young on her birthday, September 30, 2022.
Bernadette’s journey started in San Roque, Cavite City, Philippines on September 30th, 1948. She was the youngest of 3 children and the youngest daughter of Macandola and Alicia Igtiben. Her siblings were, oldest sister, Susan Ellis and brother, Rene Igtiben. Bernadette attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and Finance from Lyceum of the Philippines University. She held many positions during her professional career, but the two she was most proud of were her work for the United Nations High Commission for Refugees and her position as the Restitution Clerk for the San Diego City Attorney’s Office. At the United Nations, she worked supporting the process of preparing Vietnamese refugees for the countries they were going to and ensuring families were kept together. At the City Attorney’s Office, she worked to ensure restitution was paid to those in need. Bernadette also proudly served as a reservist in the US Navy. She was one of the first females to serve on a carrier, the USS Kitty Hawk (CV-63).
She met Sam in May of 1983 while visiting a family friend in San Diego. As one of the only bachelors in his office, Sam’s colleagues made sure he participated in social events. It was during one of these events Sam told her he was a singer/songwriter so she asked him to sing her a song. Sam sang a recently written song titled “May the Sun Shine on Your Day.” Bernadette smiled and said it was very nice. They fell in love and were married in November that year. Over the next few years Marie and Kenny completed their family. From then and over the next 39 years, she heard, commented on and provided suggestions on many songs, bands and instrument purchases. She was Sam’s number 1 fan.
Bernadette’s quiet strength was an inspiration to all. Of her 74 short years Bernadette spent 21 years battling the evil that is cancer. Bernadette started her battle against breast cancer in 2001 and continued in 2012, again in November 2021 and finally in August 2022. The family cannot express in words the strength of this woman; our fighter, our wife and our mother. She was our Superhero.
Bernadette was uncompromising in her unconditional giving and support of her friends and family. It is hard to talk about her accomplishments, without addressing the accomplishments of those she supported. It was important to her to see the family succeed, and she willingly sacrificed her desires to ensure their success. She supported their endeavors, including five college degrees, multiple certifications and several professional and personal milestones. She was so proud of the accomplishments the family achieved and worked hard to make sure the family completed what they started.
Bernadette was known for her effortless style and shopping finesse, but it was her love of gifting that would lead her to spend hours in stores. Especially at Christmas time, her favorite holiday, when she would take the time to find the perfect present and beautifully wrap each and every one of them. One of the many ways of showing that she cared was finding beautiful clothes that she knew would make the recipient feel their best. Nothing made her happier than to see someone that she loves proudly wearing an ensemble that she carefully selected. Shopping was also a way she would bond with the many people she shopped with over the years, to her it was less of a material process and more about caring. Her caring turned into volunteer work at church, being a member of both the Altar Guild and the Flower Guild, combining her loves of gardening and church. She also enjoyed hosting friends, family and her co-graduates (the 64-evers!) and ensuring that all felt welcomed and had a good time.
Bernadette will be greatly missed and forever in the family's hearts.
The family will host a viewing at the McLeod Mortuary located at 1919 E Valley Pkwy, Escondido, CA 92027 on Friday, October 7th from 4PM to 8PM. Services will continue with a Requiem mass on Saturday, October 15th at All Saints Church located at 625 Pennsylvania Avenue, San Diego, California 92103. The mass will start at 4PM to be immediately followed by a Celebration of Life event at the All Saint's Parish Hall.
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