Bernadette "Bernie" M. Huck, 78, of Swansea, MA, passed away peacefully on Monday, November 4, 2024 surrounded by her loving family in the comforts of her childhood home following a period of declining health.

Bernadette was born on December 19, 1945, to Fannie (Medeiros) and Louis Kazen. She grew up in the Flint section of Fall River amidst her extended family, a fact that she was very proud of.  As a child, her family would vacation at their summer home in Ocean Grove, a place she fell in love with from the very beginning and would call her full-time home from 1960 until her final days. She was so fond of her memories of Ocean Grove and "The Bluffs" which she fought so hard to protect as an outspoken advocate for both.

Bernie was generous beyond measure and was always willing to help others by offering words of encouragement or support to those in need.  Finding her true calling later in life, she went back to school to earn a degree from Southeastern Massachusetts University. It was here that she found her passion of helping others, especially the senior population. She started her career in Swansea as the Director of The Council on Aging before moving on to expand her footprint as the Director of Human Services for the town of Seekonk, where she worked until her retirement in 2018. She was fulfilled by her role of helping and providing for the unmet needs of those she served. A formidable advocate, she did not take the word "no" very well and would leverage any and all resources available to her ensure the needs of others were met.

In addition to a career serving others, Bernie was proud to have served on numerous boards and committees which include the Swansea Democratic Committee, Swansea Beach Committee, representative to Southeastern Regional Transit Authority, Swansea Council on Aging Board of Directors, and Friends of the Bluffs Ocean Grove Neighborhood Association.  She was also a proud volunteer for the Swansea Community Food Drive where she organized the annual Thanksgiving and Christmas basket delivery to those in need. The importance of service to others is a tradition she instilled in each of her children and grandchildren. She prided herself on the fact she could always get a little more goodness from each of us.  Whether it was to deliver food baskets, Christmas gifts, or even Christmas trees to ensure everyone was afforded the same opportunity, this was truly her calling. Bernie was the recipient of the Unsung Heroin of Massachusetts award in 2006 for her service to her community.

She is survived by her three children who were her pride and joy, Tammy Pacheco and husband Joseph Pacheco, Mark Huck and wife Honey Huck, and Corey Huck and wife Brooke Huck. Grandchildren, whom she greatly adored include Joseph, Ryan and Justin Pacheco, Scarlett Huck Silvia, and Camden and Madden Huck. Great-Grandchildren include Connor, Mason, Ryan, Juliette, Adeline, Jaxon and Iyla Pacheco. On any given "Sunday dinner", you would see her light up when any one of them entered a room. The only other person that would receive a reaction like that was her "favorite", son-in-law Joe Pacheco.

Bernie is also survived by her best friend and sister Candice Kazen. Bern and Candy were the original "Thelma and Louise".  You could be certain that if you saw one, the other was not far behind.

How blessed we were that God allowed the aforementioned to be with her when she took her final breath.

Bernie is predeceased by her beloved son, Daniel "Jason" Huck.  In addition to her parents Fannie and Louis Kazen, she was also predeceased by brothers Louie, Gibby, Sonny and Maurice Kazen.

As you can see, there are many roles that Bernie fulfilled; mother, daughter, sister, grandmother, coach, and at times father, but most importantly she was the best friend each of us could have asked for. As a family, we are so blessed that we had the opportunity to always be able to say all that we needed to say while living in the moment. We would also like to thank all of our extended family who travelled far and near to aid us in this difficult journey. We surely could not have managed this without each and every one of you. A very special thanks to her many lifelong friends, especially Carolyn (Gomes) Kiepler for her constant presence.

"Laughter truly is the best medicine" – Bernie Huck

Her Funeral Mass was celebrated on Thursday, November 14th, at St. Anthony of the Desert Church in Fall River followed by her committal at  Mount Hope Cemetery in Swansea where she was laid to rest alongside of her late son, Daniel. In lieu of flowers, kindly consider a donation in Bernie's memory to the St Jude Children's Hospital, 501 St Jude PL, Memphis, TN 38105-9959.

Family members are always grateful for relatives and friends wishing to make in-person expressions of kindness and support. If you were unable to do so, because of health concerns or any other reason, all are urged to express their sympathy online or by mail. To ensure that said condolences and/or sympathy cards reach the family, please always make sure that submissions online are made directly through the funeral home's website (www.silvafaria.com) and not through a third party. Thank you!