Dear Ross and family, I am so very sorry to hear of Bernies passing. Life will be very different for you all now. My connection with Bernie and Ross was through gymnastics as a fellow DGC gym parent. Ross was a wonderful help around the club and Bernies input was as a judge at competitions. This is a hugely important role without which our budding gymnasts would not be able to compete. Not many make the commitment required to train as a judge and then attend weekend competitions, usually held at the old Caledonian gym in Andersons Bay in Dunedin - not the warmest venue in those days. Thank you Bernie for giving your time and passion for this sport that you shared not only with your children, but many others. With love and much respect Claire Doig

Dear Ross and family We are very sorry for your loss and hope that your memories of special times with Bernie will be of comfort to you at this sad and difficult time. Bernie's funeral service was very special and brought back wonderful memories of times spent together at Rochester Hall, in Tonga and traveling through North America. Arohanui Frank and Karen

Dear Ross and family, We’ve both known Bernadette almost as long as Ross has and Peter remembers being there when they first met. Ross was Groomsman at our wedding and while we’ve seen little of each other over the intervening years, on the few occasions we’ve caught up, that friendship has remained and we’ve enjoyed each other’s company. Bernadette’s service today was a lovely tribute to a life lived to the full. It was wonderful to hear that she never lost her feisty approach to life and the people around her and comforting to see that she was surrounded by her loving family to the end. Rest in Peace

To dear Ross and family, Thinking of you at this sad time. My dear friend Bernadette leaves a huge legacy and will be greatly missed by family, friends and colleagues. Our friendship started at Noah's Hotel in 1977 and continued at Canterbury University and beyond. Manu fond memories. RIP.

Much love to you all today. When Mum and Dad told me of Bernadette’s passing my first feeling was of shock. I knew she had been unwell but was ever hopeful. I looked up to Bernadette in the way she was such a fair and caring professional. She understood people and what made them tick. If I can be half the person in the classroom that she was in the judicial system I will know I have made a difference. I will miss seeing her around Sealy and Fraser.

Dear Ross, Emma, Tom, Hannah and Julia Bernadette has been my true, trusted and dearly loved friend for the past 40 years and family lawyer initially. Our friendship cemented when we bumped into each other at Queen Mary Maternity hospital with the birth of our 2nd child Nadine and Bernadette’s first child Emma. I’ll always remember dropping into Bernadette’s ward and there she was reading the paper looking pretty relaxed and chilled, so far removed from the stereotypical new born stressed mum. This is just typical of how Bernadette coped with life and the supreme mental ability she harnessed coping with a busy family life and demanding work schedule which led inevitably to her reaching the summit of her legal career being appointed a judge. Bernadette and Ross’s move to Invercargill from Dunedin was a loss Murray and I felt keenly. We’ve got a whole lifetime of family memories shared together with you all growing up and sharing with our children James, Nadine and Andrea of birthday parties, significant family events, holidays, outings, dinners, concerts and trips. We’ve shared the angst of teenagers and now our adult children having their own babies and the joy and pride of our conversations about the grandchildren and us becoming grandparents. One momentous family occasion was when Bernadette generously offered to. be the moving counsel for our daughter Nadine requesting Nadine’s admission to the bar to be appointed a barrister and solicitor of the high court of New Zealand. So typical of Bernadette’s generous nature. One of our last fun trips together as two couples was the West Coast Adventure Bike Trail where with Bernadette’s usual determination and grit she rode the whole darn thing on a manual bike where I dipped out and rode an Ebike. Would she give up and upgrade to an Ebike? Not on your life! We’ve seen Bernadette tackling her diagnosis and treatment with courage and humility over the past few years supported by Ross. I love and miss Bernadette and have been honoured to have been her friend.

Dear Ross, I had anticipated being with you today to farewell Bernadette but sadly that has not proved possible. I am grateful however that I was able to, so recently, attend Bernadette’s Final Sitting in the Invercargill Court in which she so bravely summed up her devotion to the law, its people and the family that supported her in her endeavours.. My sincere condolences to you and your family. Farewell, Bernadette, you will never be forgotten. Judith Ablett-Kerr KC

To Ross and Family, Today will be a hard day for you all.We are so sorry we can't be with you at the Service but will be watching online. We loved Bernadettes company at Art Group and Bookclub and John working with her professionally. I just finished a book last week that I would have loved to share with her,we enjoyed the same types of books. Love to you all today. Karen and John Pringle

Dear Ross and family I knew Bernadette as a work colleague, both of us working in busy courts at opposite ends of the country. We were both appointed as Judges around the same time. Despite the distance between our work places, I regularly saw Bernadette at the various training sessions we both attended during those early years. Bernadette was always the proud mother and grandmother sharing stories (and photos) of her beloved family and giving me wise advice for mine. I enjoyed her company. We also shared a common interest in supporting the youth driving program "The Right Track" - a great program that the Southland Community has embraced. I will miss those chats. I hope you are able to all find some comfort and support within your close relationships with each other, that Bernadette helped foster and enhance. She left you all too soon but with an invaluable legacy. Arohanui to you all June

To those whom I am acquainted in their time of deep mourning: First Cousin (second ever) Christine; First Cousin (third ever) Nicholas; and to my elder, and only living Aunty —- “Gaye” This is the indelible memory of my First Cousin (first ever) Bernadette. These were halcyon times as young children: I recall carefree days during family visits when my father James (Uncle Noel’s elder brother) regularly took us to play at your home in Wellington. Unfortunately, the only time as adults, and most recent time Bernadette and I actually met was in the 1970s in Wellington on Manners Street, each of us in the company of a companion. For some time afterward, I felt embarrassed at the recollection, as on that occasion, I had been introduced to half a tablet of lysergic acid diethyl-amide, and the best I could do in our brief encounter was giggle —— for me, it was totally out of character. However, I feel thankful that only last month Bernadette and I reconnected. I took the opportunity to offer an explanation for my previous poor manners. Though Bernadette was fighting the ultimate personal battle in what has obviously been a feisty life, she took time out to share her situation with me —- A magnificent person, and truly gracious to the end. Familial relationships never die.

You were our Alison Cres family the first people Chris got to know I will always remember the days when one of us would walk across the road with a coffee ( or a wine) @ the kids roamed the neighbourhood. Far to soon to be saying goodbye B x

To the whanau, Sending heartfelt condolences to you all. She was full of energy and drive; I know she will be sorely missed. She was a fabulous proffs lecturer and I appreciate the role she played in my legal career. My last memory of her was running furiously along London Street! She was a keen runner. :) Much aroha. Ronda Tokona

Moe mai ra moe mai ra Bernie / Rest in peace Bernie. I first met you when you were my Legal Profs tutor and advanced Criminal Law tutor at Otago Uni many years ago. Since then, we caught up at the odd law function, at Te Rau Aroha Marae and at your final sitting in Invercargill. You were an influential person in my life during Profs and helped steer my legal career pre and post-graduation. When I heard of your passing, this Whakataukī came to mind - Kua hinga te totara i te wao nui a Tane/The totara has fallen in the forest of Tane. A proverb encapsulated I believe by Maya Angelou in her poem "When Great Trees Fall." This poem opens with these words “When great trees fall, rocks on distant hills shudder, … small things recoil into silence, their senses eroded beyond fear…” and ends fittingly with this reminder: “And when great souls die, after a period peace blooms, slowly and always irregularly. Spaces fill with a kind of soothing electric vibration. Our senses, restored, never to be the same, whisper to us. They existed. They existed. We can be. Be and be better. For they existed.” Much love to the Farnan family and to all who knew & loved Bernie. xxx

To Ross and family. Thinking of you all at this sad time in the loss of a loved wife, mother and grandmother. It has been a privilege to get to know Bernadette over the last few years,. She spoke highly of all her children and very proud of their achievements. Treasure the memories. Jenny and Phil King Te Anau

Dear Ross and family. Our deepest sorrow to hear of Bernadette’s passing. We remember her well re the running times in Dunedin. Such a lovely lady. Our thoughts are with you. Julie and David

Rest in Peace Bernadette - sending my thoughts and condolences to Hannah and all of Bernadette’s family.

We were very saddened to learn of Bernadette's ill-health and subsiquent passing.... Much has been said about her time as a Judge - but we remember her very fondly in her time practicing Family Law in Dunedin - when she was often acting as Lawyer for Child. We were both working for Child Youth & Family and had regular dealings with her over those years. Bernadette was passionate about her L4C role and seeking the best outcome for the children involved. We smile when we think of her often turning up late for meetings, somewhat disheveled and clearly in the throws of coping with complex family commitments and her work.... but with her easy smile and kind words these were quickly forgotten and she settled to the task at hand. She was very approachable and accommodating - and in these sometimes heated meetings was gently but firmly able to get those involved to stay focused on the children's needs and move them to a good outcome. Bernadette was a positive force in child welfare matters..... Peter Guest & Sue Holmes

Emma, Ben and families. I’m deeply saddened by the loss of your Dear Mum, wife, Nana B, mum in-law. I feel very privileged to have worked with her. An absolute legend. Thinking of you all at this very sad time. ❤️❤️

Dear Ross, Emma, Tom, Hannah and Lu. I am deeply saddened to hear of the loss of Bernadette. There were so many connections that we had along the way, from me babysitting Emma and Tom, to free legal advice when dealing with a landlord as a student and then help with ACC, to helping Chris and I when we bought our home and then the babysitting coming full circle with Hannah looking after Siobhan and Jacob! We have always had much love and appreciation for an awesome lady! Aroha to you all. Deborah and Chris Whitty.

You were so many things to so many people Bernie, and so admired by us all. Your loss to your family, and to all those you met in the law & elsewhere, is endlessly sad. Your contribution, and your energy, vitality, passion, and laugh, will however be long remembered. Vale Judge Farnan … and thanks for being you …

The news of Bernadette’s untimely death comes as a terrible shock. My deepest sympathy to her husband and family. Bernadette was such an invincible person: bright, cheerful and loving. We both graduated in law from the University of Canterbury in 1980. A hard grind that Bernadette handled with confidence, humour and ease. Afterwards we kept in touch at law conferences when Bernadette made dull, buttoned-up law dinners memorable with her openness, her love for her husband and her children. Always Bernadette knew to focus on the important and to let go of the dross. Bernadette will be always missed.

To Ross and Family. I was shocked to hear of Bernadette's passing. I had contact with you both in the early 80's when I lived in Dunedin. I have fond memories of her. She was able to have a full and productive life, unsurprising given her energy and commitment to the Law. Bernadette gave me the impression she was indestructible and I am saddened by this news. Thinking of you all at this difficult time. Ian Macdonald

It is with a heavy heart we send our condolences to you all for your lost of such a beautiful lady. Thank you for all you done for us xx

So sorry for your loss…

A much loved, highly respected lady whom influenced so many in her various roles. Thank you for all your guidance and inspiration. Sending much love to the family, she will always be remembered and her legacy will live on in the hearts and memories of so many xxx

Dear Ross,Emma,Tom,Hannah,Lu and your families, It is with our heartfelt sadness that we remember your very special Bernadette. Love from Sarah,Frazer Rochelle Rose and Jess Barton.

Sincere condolences, a lovely lady at Peace. Blessings.

A much loved Judge who will be very missed by all! Thinking of all the family at this very sad time! Lyn Holland and family