Bern Lank

Companion, mom, friend Bern Lank, a lady with a radiant personality and a passionate exuberance for life, passed away on Monday, 18 April 2011 at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital in Lafayette. Bern's smile and spirit were immeasurable treasures to her many friends and family. She was remarkably kind, always in an off-hand kind of way'that sort of way that makes acts and expressions of kindness so easy to accept. Above all, she was the quintessential mom, to her own daughter, and to countless others she took under her wing. She was one of those women that everyone wants for a mom. A fierce survivor, she had been struggling with a rare, incurable neurological disease for more than three years, and always had hope she would recover. She didn't, but her final act of kindness was to donate tissue to the Eloise H. Troxel Memorial PSP Brain Bank at the Mayo Clinic in the hope that others will. Always caring, always giving, always loving, her spirit will live on in all who loved her. Bern is survived by her husband, Phil, her daughter, Brigitte, Brigitte's partner, Jaye Flynn, her granddaughter, Chloe Lank Flynn, and her brother, Pierre Leger. The challenges inherent with living with a terminal disease were appreciably eased by the gentle care and tender ministrations of her caregiver, Angelica Gonzalez. Appreciation is also gratefully expressed to the staff and volunteers of Hospice of Acadiana, the staff of Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, and Dr. Frank Bacqu' for the special care and compassion afforded Bern during her final days. Services for Bern will be held on Friday, 22 April 2011, 11:00AM at Delhomme's Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette. Visitation will be on Thursday, 21 April 2011, from 4:00-8:00PM, with a rosary at 7:00PM; and will resume on Friday from 8:00AM until time of service. Pallbearers are Joe Becnel, Jim Gossen, Gordon Hackman, Ted Landry, Nat Peck, and Kim Veillon. Honorary pallbearers are Allen Bacqu', Donnie Bacqu', Dr. Frank Bacqu', William Bacqu', Kevin Gossen, Rocky Lasserre, Joseph Petro, Jr., Dr. Russell Romero, and Walter Rose. Contributions in Bern's memory may be made to the Foundation for Supranuclear Palsy (www.curePSP.com) or to the UL Lady Cajuns Softball Team. Delhomme Funeral Home, 1011 Bertrand Drive, Lafayette, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Bern Lank

March 11, 1951 - April 18, 2011