Bernadine J. Feakins

Bernadine J Feakins (nee Jelen) was known to family and friends simply as Bunny. When, in her first days of life, as she was proudly brought home from the hospital, By Parents John and Emily Jelen, her older brother, Jack Jelen lovingly commented that she was as cute as the little Bunnies that were on the blanket that she was swaddled in. From then on, Bernadine was simply known as Bunny.

Born in Chicago, Illinois in 1947, she was a member of her High School Glee Club and a graduate of Mundelein University in her hometown of Chicago with a degree in education. With her first husband, Jerry Nieds, she had a daughter Karen and a son David.

She became a teacher and then took on a more important role of being a housewife and mother to her children Karen and David. From Chicago she moved to Margate, Florida in 1971 where She toiled in raising those wonderful children and wonderful they became. But once those children started going to school, Bernadine became bored and went back to her first love of teaching.

She began a more than 25 year career with the Broward County School Board. She began her career as a Home Economics and Life Development teacher and worked in several schools. Even as she taught others she never stopped educating herself. She earned a Master’s Degree in Information Technology from the University of South Florida. She continued even further enunciation by obtaining her National Board Certification for Professional Teaching Standards.

In 1982 she married second husband, and love of her life Richard Feakins. For Bunny, true love was not meant to last and she was preceded in death by Richard in 1995.

Bunny was doting grandmother simply known as Meema to Kyle, Matthew, Ryan Jonathan, and Andrew. And Great-Grandmother to Emily.

In her retirement, Bunny became an accomplished Quilter, Reading Coach, Ear to listen, Local Traveler, world traveler, fast driver, Frequent flier, Great Complicator and doting grandmother.

In November 2023 she suffered from a short illness from which she was unable to recover. On December 3, she passed away peacefully while surrounded by family and each one of her children holding her hands and telling her how much she was loved.

Surviving Bunny are her Daughter Karen and husband Jody and grandsons and granddaughters in-law, Her Son David and His wife Lisa and grandson and granddaughter in-law, Sister Judy and Husband Bob. Brother Jack. Mother in-Law Elaine. Sister in-law Cathy and husband Joe. Sister in-law Patti and husband Vernon. As well as numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and countless friends.

A celebration of Bunny’s life will occur at Kraeer Funeral Home, 1655 University Drive, Coral Springs, FL on December 20, 2023. Visitation will begin at 4:00 PM. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Vincent Catholic Church, 6350 N.W. 18th St, Margate FL on December 21, 2023 at 10:00 AM. Graveside Service at Our Lady Queen of Heaven Cemetery, 1500 S. State Rd. 7, North Lauderdale FL on December 21, 2023 at 11:30 AM.

In Lieu of Flowers donations may be made to the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital at Stjude.org.