Bernadine Carrol Covey

Bernadine Carrol Covey, affectionately known and loved as “Bunny”, passed away from natural causes on April 4, 2024, in Ferndale, Washington. At the time, she was enjoying a wonderful week with close friends and colleagues while on vacation.

Born November 20, 1952, and raised in Kamloops, BC, Bunny grew up spending her time hunting, fishing, and camping. In the years following her education at Kamloops Senior Secondary High School, she travelled and lived in many cities across Canada spanning from coast to coast. In 1989, Bunny returned to Kamloops for good. In her later years, she appreciated her yard with the gardens and trees. She enthusiastically enjoyed many activities but most notably golfing, curling, and bridge. As a St John’s first aid volunteer, she enjoyed many concerts, plays, and local events. She made friends easily and will be most remembered and missed for her compassion and generosity. She had many talents and gained great pleasure in gifting homemade baked goods, handmade blankets, Christmas toques, artistic etched glass pieces, and painted ornaments.

She served over 38 years for the BC Government working for the Liquor Board, Ministry of Environment, Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management, and Ministry of Forests. At retirement in 2022, she was acknowledged as setting the gold standard in her role within Contracts and Tenures Administration and was recognized for her admirable work ethic and unwavering commitment to excellence. In addition, she contributed to other significant roles including as a founding member of the Resource Clerk Leadership team, Union Shop Steward, Strike Captain, and Treasurer. She also performed contract and logistics support roles for the Provincial Emergency Management Program of fires, floods, and other disasters.

Bunny is predeceased by her parents Ralph Covey (2003) and Marion (Powell) Covey (2012). She is survived by her loving family, including son David Brown, daughter-in-law Sandy from Cold Lake, Alberta, daughter Candy, and son-in-law Alan Bruinsma from Calgary Alberta; her grandchildren James (Christina), Jordan (Madison) Brown, Hailey (Saurabh) Patro, and Caleb and Hadassah Bruinsma; great-grandchildren Charlotte (Charlie) and Dante Brown; sister Caryl Covey (Kerry Wallace), niece Asia Longphee; uncle Graham (Brenda) Powell, and many other wonderful family members and great friends.

She was proud, strong, independent, and valued honesty, integrity, hard work, family, and love which was reflected in the way she lived her life. She will be missed beyond words and appreciated for the light she shared and the impact she had on so many.

There will be a gathering to celebrate Bunny on the weekend of July 13, 2024, in Kamloops. Please reach out to David, Candy, or Caryl for details. The family would greatly appreciate your shared memories and pictures of Bunny. Please share by posting on her online obituary or her Facebook pages.

Donations in Bunny’s memory can be made to the Canadian Lung Association or Canadian Cancer Society.