Mary Ann Bernick, 62, a resident of  Mount Vernon, passed away at her home on Friday, August 26, 2011, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born in Grants Pass, Oregon on December 31, 1948, the only child of Steve & Geraldine (Goldsby) Gasparac.

Steve & Mary Ann moved to Sedro-Woolley when she was a small child and there she was raised and attended school, graduating from Sedro-Woolley High School with the class of 1967.

On September 29, 1971 she was united in marriage to Arnold Bernick in Sedro-Woolley and there they made their home.

Mary Ann worked for a few years at the National Frozen Foods Cannery in Burlington until becoming a certified in home care provider, providing care for the elderly in the comfort of their homes.  She worked for several Skagit Valley families with special memories of the Barbara Barnes and Hill and Gertie Nicholson families.

Mary Ann was a member of the Bethel Assembly of God Church in Sedro-Woolley and when she and Arnie moved to Mount Vernon in 2000 she attended Central Valley Assembly of God and most recently Everyone’s Church.

She enjoyed traveling to the ocean, reading, making new friends, visiting with old ones and just socializing with all. Mary Ann had a fondness for pets, especially cats, dogs and horses and loved her “grandpuppy” Cash and “grandkitty” Sylvia.

Mary Ann touched many lives. Her big smile and twinkling eyes welcomed everyone. She was a second mom to many and a friend to everyone. She truly cared for every friend, family member and acquaintance that came into her life.

She is survived by her husband of nearly 40 years, Arnie, at the family home in Mount Vernon; her daughters, Laney Bernick and her companion, Andrew Marshall and Lacey Bernick all of Mount Vernon; two step-sons, Brian Bernick and his wife, Dee of Burlington, and Shean Allen and his wife, Selena of Mount Vernon; her mother-in-law, Lucille Bernick and sister-in-law Linda Maxfield of Burlington.  She is also survived by grandkids Manda, Gregory and Tommy Bernick and Trystan and Alexis Allen, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins and great aunt and many close friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents and her father-in-law and half sister.

In lieu of flowers, memorials are suggested to the Skagit Valley Regional Cancer Care Center or Hospice of the Northwest.

A time of visitation will be available Wednesday, August 31 from 9:00 until 7:00 with family greeting guests from 5:00 to 7:00; Thursday from 9:00 to 5:00.

A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, September 2, 2011 at 2:00 PM at Lemley Chapel in Sedro-Woolley with Pastor Bryce Greathouse officiating.  Interment will follow at the Sedro-Woolley Union Cemetery.