Bernadette Dawn Witschey

January 5, 1955 - May 18, 2017

On Thursday, May 18th, 2017, our loving mother, wife, aunt, and friend Bernadette Dawn Witschey (née Tibby) peacefully went to heaven surrounded by her family. Bernadette, who lived in DeLand since 1985, was born on January 5, 1955 in Cornwall, NY to Elizabeth and Edgar Tibby of New Windsor, NY. She was the 5th of 8 children: Paul, Amelia, Elizabeth, Deborah, Daralee, Stacey, and Shawn. She was married to John Witschey, and had two children, Adam and Sarah Naga. Bernadette grew up in the Newburgh, NY area, and obtained a degree in medical technology at Orange County Community College in Middletown, NY before obtaining dual degrees in biology and chemistry from Mount Saint Mary's College in Newburgh, NY. Bernadette worked in the clinical laboratory field her entire career, spending extended periods of time in New York, Egypt, and Florida. Most noteably, she spent over 30 years working in various capacities at Halifax Medical Center in Daytona Beach. Until shortly before her passing, she worked at Davita Laboratories as a second shift clinical laboratory supervisor, where she was dearly loved by her team. To everyone she knew, Bernadette showed kindness, compassion, and care no matter the situation—she was the one to pick you back up when you had fallen or lend you a hand during your time of need. She gave strength to all whom she knew. Bernadette also had a love for animals all of her life—most recently her 5 dogs, 3 cats, and 2 birds—and was always looking forward to seeing her beloved pug Douglas again when it was her time to go to heaven. Bernadette also was passionate about art, and enjoyed dollmaking, sewing, quilting, crocheting, and drawing. Her love of antiques is also something everyone will remember. Bernadette was predecesed by her parents Elizabeth and Edgar, as well as her siblings Paul, Amelia, and Elizabeth. She is survived by her husband John, beloved children Adam and Sarah Naga, her siblings Deborah, Daralee, Stacey, and Shawn, and many nieces and nephews. Additionally, she warmly looks down upon those who prayed by her side during her final hours: Her husband, John; son and daughter Adam and Sarah; her sister Daralee; Sarah's boyfriend Alex; her nieces and nephews Stephanie and Jeff Henry, Aimee White, Rhett and Beth Anne LaBonte, Richard Tillinghast, Tiphanie Tillinghast, and Leanne Dooley; and her good friends Dawn Vostrejs, Rosemary McNeil and Linda Cheever. Also by her side were her friends Soheir and Amad Naga, whose children Dena, Reem, and Nora she loved very much. Bernadette brought warmth and love to the hearts of everyone she knew, and for those of us who knew her, our lives will never be the same. Today our hearts feel cold in her absence, but we stand strong together in faith, knowing that one day we will meet her again in the Kingdom of God. Bunny, Mom, Aunt Bun, Bernadette, Tant—we love you. Catholic services will be held starting on Wednesday, May 24th with a viewing and service from 6:00-8:00 PM at Allen Summerhill Funeral Home in DeLand, FL. Her funeral mass will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, May 25th at St. Peter's Catholic Church in DeLand, with an entombment service to follow at DeLand Memorial Gardens. Father William Gohring, who has known Bernadette and her family for over 25 years, will officiate.