Bernadette Marie Slamons, 79, of Fayetteville, died August 5, 2020. Born on October 11, 1940, in Rockford, IL to Joseph and Nora Kuczynski, Bernadette loved ghost stories, celebrity news, shopping, puzzles, and a good adventure. She would be there whenever you needed her. Her role as a nurturer and caretaker took her through nursing school. She took care of family, friends, and strangers for 45 years, helping bring them into this world, guiding them toward their final journey, and everything in between.
She was a faithful member of St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville. She was active in the Legion of Mary, delivered communion to the sick, taught Sunday school classes, and could often be found at Adoration.
In addition to her many roles in a nursing capacity (RN, supervisor, teacher), she helped with the M&N Augustine Foundation in the Caring Kitchen and the annual Trent Trumbo Easter Feed.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Lawrence Slamons and leaves behind her dog Lily, and her children: John Slamons and wife LeaAnn of Kansas, OK; Anne Minton and husband Mark of Fayetteville, AR; Joseph Slamons and wife Corinna of Rockwall, TX; Mary Toney and husband George of Appleton, WI; and Nicole Stringer and husband John of Omaha, NE; 14 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and her favorite sister, Carol Kuczynski of South Elgin, IL.
Bernadette was a founding member of Camp Rainbow, a week-long summer camp for kids with cancer and their siblings. She was named 1st Lady of Fayetteville in 1990 by Beta Sigma Phi for her work with Camp Rainbow. “We want to give them a week they’ll remember forever,” she said.
Mass of Christian Burial will be 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 10, 2020, with a rosary beginning at 9:30 at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fayetteville with Father Jason Tyler and Father Ravi officiating. Burial will follow at Fairview Memorial Gardens Cemetery.
Visitation will be Sunday, August 9, 2020, from 3 to 5 p.m. at Beard’s Chapel.
Memorials may be directed to the M&N Augustine Foundation-Caring Kitchen or to the Fayetteville Public Library Children’s Program.
Bernadette was a true daughter of her mother Nora, always with a smile and easy to laugh. We, myself and cousin Deanna, were in the same age group in the extended Obremski clan. May she rest in the peace of the Lord! See you in the not so distant future! Bill Napiwocki, 80 years old, 4122 Hohman Ave, Hammond IN 46327-1253.
Bill,
My mom loved getting your letters. She always talked about you and what you were up to.
Thank you. We are going to be miss her immensely.
My dearest Meme (Mary) and family—my heart goes out to all of you in this time of loss. Cherish the beautiful memories, laughter, and tears you had with one another. You are all in my thoughts and prayers.
Working with Bernie at WRMC was a highlight of my nursing career. She taught me so much! Her sense of humor was beyond compare.She was loved and respected by so many.
Thank you so much for thinking of our mom. She loved working with everyone at Regional.
I met Bernie through my mother Dorothy Munkirs, they worked together at WRMC.
She was always so kind and full of laughter, and a wonderful mentor when I was in nursing school all students loved her and were so honored that she spoke at our graduation.
An amazing woman.
My deepest sympathy for family and friends.
Bernie was a great person glad to got to know her. I worked with her at Washington regional hospital and also camp rainbow then camp dream street. Always loved her laugh.
Jeff
Jeff, it was good to see you and know that my mom loved you to pieces – thought the world of you. Thank you for thinking of her.
So sorry for this loss. Every time I would run into Bernadette, she would always take timeto say hello with that cheerful caring smile and to get in a little visit. My thoughts and hugs go especially to Nicole who I so enjoyed during the FHS years. God be with you.
Mrs. Slamons was an amazing woman and my second mom growing up. She was one of the most kind and caring people I ever met. I am deeply sorry for her loss and will keep her family in my thoughts and prayers. Much love, Jennifer Wheeler Haskins
J-Thank you. And why you are calling her Mrs. Slamons when she was always Mom? :). Love you.
So very sorry. She was a great lady that truly loved people. God bless you all. She will be missed.
Thank you. She will be missed, but she left a piece of herself with each one of us.
Loved Bernie and her smile, laugh and incomparable sense of humor. She made my years at WRMC more fun! A great humanitarian!!
Thank you for thinking of our mom. She loved the people she worked with at Regional. She will be missed greatly.
Meme and family, I’m so sorry for your loss. Meme, I see where the horror movie thing comes from😉 and the urge to go “haunting ” for vacations! We’re thinking of you and praying you feel the comfort of knowing she’s in a wonderful place and meant so much to so many here. Love you Memes!
So sorry to hear of the passing of Bernadette. I was one of those Camp Rainbow kids and loved going to camp every summer. Rest in Peace.
She loved all her camp kids. Thank you so much for remembering her!
I am so saddened to read of Bernie passing she was always a very sweet person to be around at camp rainbow and camp dream street she had a big love for all the children and I was one of those children I am so glad I got the privilege to meet her…My condolences to the family
She loved all her kids – her own and every single camp kid. They were each so special to her. She could tell you about each and every one. She loved you all. She wouldn’t have changed a thing. Thank you.
I loved Bernie, both of my parents were nurses at WRMC and always told me funny Bernie stories, then I grew up to be a nurse and got to work with her myself. She was always patient and kind and loved her patients and staff!
Renee, thank you for sharing your memories of our mom with us. She was an incredibly special person.
So very sorry to hear of Bernie’s passing. She,was,so suppoeti e of other nurses.
She loved her profession and loved helping other nurses.
I met Bernie at WRMC in the late 1980’s when my 5-year old son was in his first year of weekly chemo therapy. She danced into his room and sat with him to tell him about Camp Dream Street. Always fun loving but she always talked very directly to him and all the kids and it was love at first sight for my son and his brothers. Bernie visited with him every weekly treatment day for the next couple of years.
We will always be grateful for what Bernie, Mo, Jan and all the staff did for our family for years.
We are so sorry for your loss.
Kathy Spigarelli and the Heffernan Brothers
Our mom LOVED your boys and all the kids from Camp Rainbow and Dream Street. She never forgot them. Each kid was so special, and she could tell you all about each and every one of them. Thank you.
I first met Bernadette when I was a new nursing grad and she was House Supervisor at WRMC. I liked her immediately and was so fortunate to have her become my Head Nurse and friend. She was a great mentor for her nurses and an excellent example of caring for people. I enjoyed working with her so much but more importantly being her friend. The fifth floor staff had several Christmas parties at her home ; which was great fun. She even had me over to teach me how to make cabbage roles but we ended up going to the hospital to be with a patient / friend who we had cared for over the years who was dying. Bernadette always gave so much to everyone. My life was blessed to have known Bernadette. Thoughts and prayers for the family.
Mom was always good for a Christmas party! She loved the nurses she worked with. Thank you for remembering her.
I lamer Bernie in June of 1991 at Camp Dream Street. I was hooked after the first few days and came back for many years as camp nurse and am still involved as a board member and Camp staff. Bernadette was a wonderful care giver and coworker. We loved to hear her stories and ideas. My children knew her and loved her as well from the years they volunteered at camp. So sorry for your loss! I just found out last night that she had passed and did not know about arranging. Praying for you and your family. Bernie is having a reunion with campers, patients and family as I am texting!
Thank you so much for being a friend to our mom. Her time with Camp Dream Street was a labor of love.
Camp Dream Street and Camp Rainbow were labors of love. She loved all the kids and everyone she worked with. Thank you for remembering her.
May your sweet mother, friend & nurse be well remembered for years to come❤️ She will be missed greatly😪God test her soul🙏🏼
Thank you for remembering our mom. She was a special lady with much love in her heart.
I’m saddened to hear from Bernadette’s ‘favorite sister’ Carol on her passing. Our families go back 70 + years. Her parents living in Skokie, I’m living in the one family ownership of 65 years of the House that George and Helen Built (my parents). As a young kid I had a crush on Bernadette. Our family’s had great times. Knowing Bernadette and the family will be in my prayers. Rest Well, my friend.
Our mom was crush-worthy. :). Thank you for the kind words and I am sure we met at my grandparents’ house at some point. Our mom will be missed greatly.
Bernie and I went through Nursing School at St. Anthony hospital in Chicago IL. She was our class president for 2 years. I was an attendant at her wedding. The last time I saw Bernie was in 2007 when another classmate (Bobbi) and I drove down to see her. We had such a wonderful visit. I wish we had done it again.
My condolences to her children. She was very proud of them and told me and Bobbi wonderful stories about them at our visit.
Vinnie,
Our mom loved you dearly. She never said she was class president. That doesn’t surprise me at all. I am so glad you were able to visit with her. She is going to be incredibly missed.
Loved working with this fellow nurse. Beautiful inside and out. RIP
Thoughts and prayers for all of the family. I worked with Bernadette for many years at WRMC. She guided me with all of her knowledge. She will be missed.