Bernadette L. Burton Click

To Bernadette L. Click, the entire world was a stage. An expressive, optimistic, and uninhibited individual, she was a performer in the theater of life. To everyone around her, she seemed to be eternally happy, and she willingly shared that joy with anyone whose life she touched. For Bernie, bringing out the best in any situation was as easy as offering a smile, a witty remark or the twinkle of an eye. And with just those simple gestures, she could evoke the most pleasant of emotions. Bernie really mastered the art of living and had great fun in doing so.

Bernie was born in Windsor, Ontario, Canada and was raised with her ten siblings in Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada. Her parents were Martin and Muriel Burton. Even as a child, Bernie had the ability to lift the spirits of all those around her. She was raised to be warm, caring and friendly. She couldn’t help but capture everyone’s attention. She was definitely a little bit of a show off, but in doing so, she succeeded in entertaining her entire family.

Always a good playmate, Bernie was easygoing and fun loving. She managed to lighten the mood wherever she was, even during family squabbles. She seemed to have a knack for bringing compromise and erasing tense situations around the house. Due to a generous dose of common sense, Bernie managed to find a satisfying solution to basic problems.

All of Bernie's playful good humor carried over into her childhood. She was possessed with an outgoing personality, a lively imagination and a mellowed enthusiasm for life that allowed her to be constantly on the go. As a result, Bernie experienced a rather active childhood, and this suited her very well. She was a member of a leadership program that helped other students.

Ask anyone who knew her from school and they would tell you that Bernie was a class “cut-up.” She didn’t do it to be unkind or to garner all the attention. Rather, Bernie simply enjoyed others’ laughter and the sounds of her friends and acquaintances having a good time. It could be said that for Bernie, grades may not have been the most important thing to her, but she really did enjoy her school experience. Since experience was Bernie's best teacher. She enjoyed hands-on learning and applying the “practical” approach to knowledge, rather than getting caught up in “theory.” Bernie graduated from St. Anne's High School in Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada in 1957. She enjoyed some courses more than others, having favorite classes and teachers. Her favorite class in high school was English. The teacher she enjoyed learning from the most was Mother Emeliana.

Bernie never actually encountered a stranger in her dealings with people. She was drawn to individuals and crowds, using her gregarious, adaptable and outgoing personality to captivate her audience. This quality allowed Bernie to continually develop new relationships, ever widening her circle of friends. Bernie delighted in her role among all her acquaintances, because she viewed them all as potential spectators for her performance. Whether it was a story, a joke, a song or just plain fooling around, Bernie was always right at home putting on a show among her friends. Bernie utilized her interest in others as a great way to connect with them. While growing up, some of her best friends were Shirley Arsenault and Paul Henning. Later in life, she became friends with Dennis and Jewell Anderson, Joanne Cullen, Wayne and Virginia Hall, Ray and Freda Pullen, and Diane Wiley. Bernie loved sharing life and having her home filled with people she knew.

The gift of being emotionally expressive and outwardly affectionate made Bernie very easy to approach. On September 2, 1972 Bernie exchanged wedding vows with Jimmy W. She tried hard not to impose on her spouse. She was always sensitive to other people’s feelings, and that was especially true in marriage.

At work, as in life, Bernie was a real “people person.” She had a very successful way of dealing effectively with others, and her enthusiasm and energy was often contagious. Bernie liked to see herself as something of a virtuoso. When dealing with various projects and problems, Bernie was an adaptable realist, using her common sense and trusting her experiences and impulses to uncover the correct answer. Bernie's talent for being a down to earth thinker, allowed many around her to see Bernie as an excellent problem solver. Her primary occupation was in the banking industry. She was employed for 25 years in banking and 20 years in realty.

Bernie felt excited and challenged by sports. Even if she wasn’t the best, Bernie loved to participate and thoroughly enjoyed the competition and the pleasure of being around other people. Bernie relished the opportunities where she could make an impact, and she would often push herself to play above her abilities. A quick thinker who understood the basics, Bernie never seemed to get caught off guard, even when confronted with unexpected conflict. Recreational sports included bowling and golf. Bernie was also something of a sports fan and enjoyed watching her favorite events whenever she got the opportunity. Tops on her list were golf.

Living life in the fast lane suited Bernie just fine. It is no surprise that she loved to travel and to visit new and different places. She was naturally curious about other parts of the world and loved the real life adventure that came from visiting them. She was impulsive and willing to try anything once. Favorite vacations included cruises.

Bernie was a lover of animals and cherished her pets, enjoying them almost as much as she enjoyed being around other people. One of Bernie's favorites was Peaches, a bird. They were best friends for five years.

Bernie believed that you had to experience life, and her life in retirement was no different. When that day finally arrived in 2002, Bernie took it in stride as one more way to have fun. Her new life involved relocating to Las Vegas, Nevada. With her boundless energy and a desire to get the most out of life, Bernie remained busy with people and projects. In retirement, she found new pleasure in leisure after working all her life. Even in retirement, Bernie continued to stay in touch with her old friends and, since she'd never met a stranger, she made plenty of new acquaintances as well.

Bernie passed away on June 27, 2010 at Mountain View Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada from COPD. She is survived by her husband, Jimmy; sisters: Margie, Lois, Arla, Helen, Carol and her brother, Paul. Services will be held at St. Anne's Church in Tecumseh, Ontario, Canada. Bernie will be laid to rest at St. Anne's Cemetery.

Bernie brought joy to all of those around her. She never had a mean bone in her body. She loved to have a good time and was an eternal optimist, always looking on the bright side of things. She loved to share her energy, wit, and her zest for all of her activities with her friends and family. Bernadette L. Click lived life to its fullest and made everyone around her happier just for knowing her. She will be remembered with a smile.

Arrangements under the direction of Palm Green Valley Funeral Home, Las Vegas, NV.