Bernadette Dyczewski

Bernadette Dyczewski passed peacefully on Friday, January 23. She was weak from a recent illness but had no pain when her journey in this life came to an end. She was at home in her own bed and passed in her sleep. She had a full life filled with family and friends. She traveled the world, she was one of a kind.

Bernie was born in Kingston, Pa. The daughter of a coal miner, she was one of seven children.They didn't have much in those days but the house was full of laughter, anchored by her amazing mother Francie. The family stayed close their entire lives.

Bernie got married in 1962 to the love of her life, Joe. They moved soon after to NYC, ultimately ending up in Poughkeepsie in 1964. She had four kids, Joey, Mary, Sue and Elizabeth. Bernie loved Poughkeepsie, she was an active member at St. Mary's church, she was a Girl Scout leader, the P.T.A., Tennis, taking the kids to swim at Lake Wilcox, Bernie was always up for an adventure and always saw the bright side in anything she was involved in.

Bernie was the mayor's personal assistant during her years in Poughkeepsie. She was involved with the running of the city, Bernie knew about everything that was going on.

In 1980 Bernie helped organize the Olympic torch to pass through Poughkeepsie on its way to the 1980 Winter Games. She organized all the parties involved. The event was a huge success, a moment of history for a place she loved.

In 1981 Bernie moved with Joe to Tucson, Az after Joe was transferred by IBM. It was a dramatic change, so far from her large, close extended family in the Northeast but Bernie embraced it with all her positivity, helping her kids adjust to a new life in the desert.

Bernie found her forever home out west. She loved Tucson. She loved everything, she never said anything bad about anyone. She saw the best in people, thought every place was great, never complained about anything. Bernie got a job at the University of Arizona, at the hospital in the children's cancer ward.She was the personal assistant to the head of the department. Every day she would deal with parents facing the worst possible situation, a child sick with cancer.

Bernie's empathy and compassion helped these moms and dads deal with unbelievably hard decisions. She was offered promotions but always declined, she knew where she was needed most. She never thought about herself, she was always about how everyone else was doing.

Bernie's big passion was U of A sports. Bernie and Joe had season tickets to basketball, football, women's softball, never missed a PAC 10 tournament. Over 40 years of rooting for the Cats. She remembered every game, every player. She would crush you in a game of U of A trivia.

Bernie's biggest love by far was for her family. She raised four kids, had nine grandchildren and three great grandchildren. She was the kindest, supportive, most compassionate mom a kid could ever wish for. Bernie was a major presence in her grandchildren and great grandchildren's lives. Disneyland, Christmas time, Mission Beach, birthdays, she made each kid feel special, feel loved.

Bernie was a special person. She touched everyone she knew, kind to everyone she met. It is better to light a candle than to curse the darkness. That was Bernie Dyczewski.

There will be a mass for Bernadette

Saturday February 28th, 10 am

Our Lady of the Desert Church

7101 w. Picture Rock rd

Tucson, Az 85743

A celebration of life to follow at

Continental Ranch Reserve Park

8568 N Continental Reserve Loop

Tucson, Az 85743

Saturday February 28…11-1