Born in Rekkem, Belgium, the third of ten children, Bernadette was the oldest of eight siblings to accompany parents Alfons and Marguerite Lafaut as they immigrated to Canada in 1957.
Adapting to her new country, she immediately entered the work force. Her employment led her to many places, some very remote, such as Thompson, MB others more metropolitan, such as Montreal.
She returned to Belgium in 1976 to marry her childhood sweetheart, Valere, returning to Canada with her husband in 1983 and settling in Vancouver.
Physical limitations forced early retirement, and she settled in Kimberley in 1994.
Always independent and strong of character, she remained feisty to the end, never wavering in her love of family.
Predeceased by her parents Alfons (1976) and Marguerite (2012) as well as her husband Valere (1989), she leaves to mourn her sudden passing her son Christian, grandchildren Scott, Lisa, Grant and Monique, brothers and sisters Nestor (Elizabeth), Georgette, Emmanuel (Theresa), Mariette (Victor), Lionel (Pauline), Bernard (Valerie), Gerard (Lois), Christina and Lyliane as well as numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.
A visitation for Bernadette will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2013 at McPherson Funeral Home in Kimberley from 7:00 pm until 9:00 pm. Her funeral mass will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Kimberley on Friday, March 14, 2014 at 1:00 pm. Bernadette will be Interred in the Marysville Cemetery.