FAYETTEVILLE — Bernadette Marie Slamons,

79, of Fayetteville, died Aug. 5, 2020.

Born on Oct. 11, 1940, in Rockford, Ill., 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, Okla., Anne Minton and husband, Mark, of Fayetteville, Ark., Joseph Slamons and wife, Corinna, of Rockwall, Texas, Mary Toney and husband, George, of Appleton, Wis., and Nicole Stringer and husband, John, of Omaha, Neb.; 14 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and her favorite sister, Carol Kuczynski of South Elgin, Ill.

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 a.m. Monday, Aug. 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, Aug. 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.

Condolences at www.beardsfuneralchapel.com