Bernadette Epstein Obituary (1948

Bernadette Helen Epstein (Bernie), age 62, of Kent, Washington, died on May 21, 2011, in her home in Kent, Washington, surrounded by her loved ones after a brave and determined 2+ year battle against cancer. She was preceded in death by her husband, Mark Epstein, parents, Paul and Margaret Schreiber, and brother, Richard Schreiber. She was the loving mother of Andy (Marsha) Epstein and Hannah Epstein and the doting grandmother of Mark, Eliott and Emma. She was the treasured elder sister of Marlene Schreiber and Theresa (Mark) Crotty. She is also survived by her loving and supportive brother- and sisters-in-law in Montana, Larry (Callie) Epstein, Marilyn (Steve) Davidson and Judy (Rod) Siring; special uncle- and cousins-in-law in Anacortes, Don Snyder, Debbie Snyder, Donn (Mary) Snyder, and Darcy (Doug) Nelson; devoted friend Malcolm Shave; long-time neighbors Mike and Cathy Downey; nieces and nephews Mary Conran, Margaret (Mark) Gibson, Mareesa Crotty, Ryan Crotty, Nathan Chapman, Tyler (Emily) Chapman, Abby (Matt) Embody, and Jess (Kacie) Davidson; her faithful yellow labrador retriever Cora and many other dear friends. The family would like to thank Evergreen hospice and Visiting Angels for their wonderful help and care. Bernadette was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on December 10, 1948, to Paul and Margaret Schreiber. She was the second of four children: her siblings were Richard, Marlene, and Theresa. They resided in West Allis, Wisconsin, until the family moved to Kent in 1952. From her youth, Bernadette loved music and was a talented violinist. She began playing the violin at age seven. From the age of nine, her father drove her to the University of Washington every Saturday for violin lessons with Professor Vilvem Sokol, who became maestro of the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra in 1960. She played with the Seattle Youth Symphony Orchestra from 1964 to 1969. She graduated from Kent-Meridian High School in 1967. After that she attended the University of Washington before she served in the United States Army from 1969 to 1970. She married Mark Epstein, also in the army, at Holy Family Parish in Auburn on June 8, 1970. For a time, they were stationed in Germany. After the tragic death of her husband in 1982, Bernadette went on to raise her two small children and achieve both bachelor's and master's degrees on her own, beginning with her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Washington in 1985. She continued in her love for violin, playing with the Rainier Symphony off and on for decades. Bernadette also loved to travel and her travels took her to the Caribbean, Thailand, Mexico, Ireland, Greece, France, Spain and Italy. Quiet strength, generosity and great kindness defined her spirit. Animals always had a special place in her heart and in her home. She had amazing zest for life. Bernadette worked for the Kent School District at Grand View School and then at Sequoia Junior High as an Instructional Assistant for roughly 15 years until she obtained an M.A. in Education for School Counseling from Seattle University in 1999. She continued at Sequoia Junior High as a school counselor and ended her career as a school counselor at Neely O'Brien Elementary School. She was a member of the American Counseling Association and the American School Counselor Association. She truly loved her work with children. There will be a viewing on Friday, May 27, from 3 o'clock to 6 o'clock in the afternoon at Edline-Yahn & Covington Funeral Chapel, 27221 156th Ave SE, Kent. The funeral service will be held on Saturday, May 28, at 11 o'clock in the morning at Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church in Covington at 25810 156th Ave SE, Covington, with Rev. Jim Coyne officiating. Pall bearers will be Malcolm Shave, Mark Crotty, Ryan Crotty, Larry Epstein, Steve Davidson and Don Snyder. Interment will follow on Tuesday, May 31, at 11 o'clock in the morning at Hillcrest Burial Park, 1005 Reiten Road, Kent. Please share your memories of Bernie by signing our online guest book. In lieu of flowers, contributions in her honor may be sent to the Rainier Symphony, the community orchestra she loved and played with for so many years, at P.O. Box 58182, Seattle, Washington 98138, or to the charity of your choice Funeral Mass 11am ,Saturday, May 28, 2011 St. John The Baptist Church 25810 156th Ave. SE. Covington, WA 98042 Visitation 3pm - 6pm ,Friday, May 27, 2011 Edline-Yahn & Covington Funeral Chapel 27221 156th Ave. SE Kent, WA 98042