Bernadette (Garcia) Eddy, 73, passed away Tuesday, December 17, 2024 at the Hancock County Memorial Hospital in Britt.
Bernie was born on April 24, 1951 to Manuel and Paulette Garcia in Mason City. Bernie was a proud ‘north ender’, attending McKinley Elementary, Monroe Junior High and graduated from Mason City High School in the class of 1969. On August 17, 1969, Bernie married her high school sweetheart, Doug Hanna. A son, Charles, was born to them. Doug passed away on November 30, 1978. Bernie and her son moved from Colorado back to Mason City in 1980.
She met widower, Don Eddy, with two sons, Trent and Travis. On May 2, 1981. Bernie and Don married and combined their families. Together they raised their three sons, who were a constant source of pride to them. They never missed football, basketball, baseball games, track meets, State golf tournaments and school functions through all the boy’s years in school. Bernie often said, “the most important thing you can give your children is your time.”
Bernie worked as an outside plant engineer with Mountain Bell Telephone Company in Boulder, Colorado for 10 years. Once returning to Iowa, she worked for Principal Financial Group for 29 years, retiring in 2013. Bernie and Don enjoyed many years together golfing, fishing and riding their bikes enjoying their retirement. Bernie enjoyed working out, walking, loved nature and was an avid reader. Over all her years she read thousands of books and encouraged others to do so.
Surviving Bernie are their three sons, Charlie (Amy) Hanna, Travis (Michelle) Eddy, Trent Eddy, grandchildren Zoe Hanna, Tredon and Maslyn Eddy and Anthony Eddy; brothers, Charlie (Nancy) Garcia, Rolly Garcia, and sisters-in-law Kathy Hanna and Linda Garcia; and mother in law, Lorraine Eddy.
Preceding Bernie in death were husbands Doug and Don, parents Manuel and Paulette Garcia; brother Paul Garcia, nephew Joshua Garcia, and in laws, Elmer Eddy and Robert and Phyllis Hanna.
In memory of Bernie and her great love for animals, please direct any memorials to the Humane Society of North Iowa in Bernie’s memory. Also, please adopt if you can.
Bernie wanted to thank her ‘chemo angel’ Tammy Buffington, neighbor Marsha Wedmore, whose kindness and generosity was endless. Bernie especially thanks her son Charlie, his wife Amy and granddaughter Zoe for all their care, love and support during this journey. She also thanks all the kids at the Cancer Center and enjoyed sharing jokes (and bundt cakes) with them.
Bernie has been cremated and will be set free in the Colorado Rockies along with late husband Doug. She has requested no visitation or funeral be held.
During Bernie’s illness, she kept her strength, courage and joy. She relied often on the following quote to keep herself happy through it all:
“You can’t wait until life isn’t hard anymore before you decide to be happy.”
-Jane Marczewski aka Nightbirde
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