On March 23, 2018 Bernadette Maria Theresa Herold of DeBary, Florida passed away far too soon from this world after a brief illness. During her life she was a beacon of kindness to family, friends, students and colleagues - perhaps best expressed by a poem written for Bernadette by one of her students, who wrote in gratitude to her - "So Patient and Kind, Your Warm Heart Shines, through Everything You Do - Every Day".

Bernadette was surrounded by family at her passing. Brian Stienstra, her loving husband of 27 years, and her loving sons James and Robert Stienstra, aged 24 and 20 years, supported Bernadette to the end, and mourn her deeply as do all of her family. Her mother in law Tina Stienstra and sister in law Lynda Stienstra of Chatham Ontario Canada came immediately to Bernadette's bedside, followed by Bernadette's brother and sister in law Richard and Josephine Herold of Unionville, Ontario Canada. Despite their prayers and hopes, it was not to be, and Bernadette passed on to her family's everlasting and profound grief.

Bernadette was born in Hamilton, Ontario Canada on February 4, 1966, the daughter of Helmuth and Edith Herold of Kitchener, Ontario Canada, who were there in spirit by Bernadette's bedside. Bernadette was proceeded in death by her father in law the late Henry Stienstra (2003) of Chatham, Ontario Canada.

Bernadette is also survived by Brian's sister Janet and brother in law Tony Hoekstra of Chatham Ontario, Brian's brother Ken and sister in-law Joanne Stienstra and Brian's brother Dwayne Stienstra all from Norwich Ontario, Bernadette's nieces Amanda and Stephanie of Toronto Ontario, Tanya Ferguson of Chatham Ontario, Alicia and Natalie Stienstra of Norwich Ontario, Bernadette's nephews Stephen Hoekstra of Chatham Ontario, and Jason Hoekstra of Shannonville Ontario, as well as her extended family in Austria, Europe with whom she reconnected in August 2017 at a joyous family reunion.

Perhaps in her proudest moment, Bernadette, a dedicated ESE teacher was awarded "'Seminole County Public Schools (SCPS) Teacher of the Year for Sabal Point Elementary" at a ceremony just two days before her passing. With privileges of the award stretching into 2019, Ms. Herold will remain in spirit at Sabal Point. Besides family, therefore, Bernadette's students, poets and fans alike - her "Kiddo's" - and Bernadette's teaching colleagues at Sabal Point Elementary School will also miss Ms. Herold, as will everyone who ever knew her.

All who wish to pay their respects are invited to attend on Wednesday March 28, 2018 from 4 pm to 6 pm at the DeGusipe Funeral Home, 9001 North Orlando Avenue, Maitland Florida.

In lieu of flowers, please honor Bernadette with Memorial Donations in her name to the American Diabetes Association or the American Autism Association or American Autism Society.