Groton, VT- Bernadette "Bea" (Florek) Smith, 60, of Fuller Hill Road, passed away at DHMC on January 27, 2022. She was born on June 14, 1961, in Philadelphia, PA.

As Bernadette's son said, "it's tough to sum up a person's life". That's especially hard when that person led such an interesting life. Here are just some things that people should know about who Bernadette was.

She married Michael Nix in 1998, who was by her side through her health issues and at her passing. Bernadette was previously married to David Smith of Bear, DE, and had a son, Stephen, together. Stephen and his wife Emily are expecting their first child in March of 2022.

Bea loaned her strong work ethic and talents to many companies over the years; whether it be in retail management, accounting for companies like Exxon or Price Chopper, and was even a backhaul coordinator for Hogan Transport Dollar General Division in Missouri. They moved back to Vermont in 2013, Bernadette and Mike decided to put their roots down there.

Bernadette was a talented and special person. She was an avid reader of everything and a closet gourmet chef. She had a wonderful sense of humor, loved listening to music and dancing, and especially loved her animals.

She and Mike lived in a half a dozen states, going wherever Mike's work led them. With wanderlust in their veins, they traveled the country border to border and coast to coast in their big truck of which they were owner and operators. They explored the Northeast on their motorcycle with friends Candy and Steve Malinoski of W. (By God) Fairlee, VT. Bernadette loved our camping rides to Bar Harbor, ME, and Cadillac Mountain. We'd always say, "All who wander are not lost, just looking for their place".

Known as "Camp Cookie" at the "Horg Camp" in W. Fairlee, Bernadette, and Mike, along with friends Candy and Steve, reclaimed an old log landing to create the original Horg Camp. They built an outhouse, water system, and a pavilion from logs and tarps, installed a full kitchen from reclaimed camper appliances and grills, hot and cold running water, and 12-volt lighting. From there, Bea cooked gourmet meals for 4 to 24 guests at the annual Memorial Day Blowout. Friends from all over would show up to be there and fun was had by all, to say the least!

Once they settled on "Paradise Shire" (the name they gave to their little farm in W. Groton, VT), she raised Guinea Fowl for security and bug control, raised Heritage (rare and endangered chickens) just because she wanted to, two goats (Billy and Willy) to help with brush control, and Chuck (the steer) for lawn mowing. She had a dream of starting a rescue sanctuary for animals. I don't think she realized she was already doing that.

Prior to her diagnosis of a Meningioma brain tumor, Bea was caregiver to Penny Boeckelman of Hanover, NH for 6 years. After complications from her surgery, she could not return.

Her step-son, Kevin shared the following: "She was definitely an interesting person. There are several great human qualities that she has that I will always remember fondly. She is definitely one of us and I will miss her a ton. From cooking to traveling, trying to learn new and bizarre s*** just for the sake of knowing. She didn't follow the rules, loved loud music and hanging out and playing with the animals. I will remember the best things and dedicate all the future best things. 'The road goes on forever, but the party never ends! Across the rainbow bridge to Valhalla!'"

Bernadette was a special one and all of us left behind will surely miss her.

She is predeceased by her parents Peter S. Florek and Dorothy M. Kline.

She is survived by her husband of 23 years, Michael Nix of Groton, VT; son Stephen Smith and his wife Emily; step-sons, Kevin Nix and partner Laura Ferreri, and Corey Nix; her sister Dorothy (Florek) Miller and husband John; her brothers, Peter Florek and wife Ann, and Rob Florek and wife Noelle; several nieces and nephews, and her faithful canine, T-Bird/Amathea.

A special thank you to:

-Dr. Chris and Sasha of Palliative Care DHMC, for your kindness and willingness to listen to Bea while trying to help her on her journey to recovery.

-Brent Smith and the congregation of the "Yellow" church in Groton, for the "Goodie" basket (as she called them both) at Thanksgiving and Christmas in some really deep snow. She did enjoy them.

-Andy and Sharon Stellar of the Stellar Farm, Pike, NH, for your kindness and generosity in letting Bea "help" at the farm and gifting her Chuck, the therapy steer, and for just being good friends.

-Ms. Mary Jane Flood of East Hampton, CT, you befriended Bea from a wrong number. Thank you for your kindness and weekly phone calls, your gifts, and being a total joy and happiness to her with every call. She always looked forward to the next.

Last food for thought:

A lot of people, in times of sorrow or difficult times, don't know what they need or don't need and often don't ask for help. Instead of asking if they need something, just do it. Cook them a hot meal and bring it to them so they have one less thing to do and to ensure they are eating. Remove snow, bring in the firewood for them, cut their lawn. Anything that might take some burden away from them. It can make such a huge difference.

A celebration of Bernadette's life will be held in Vermont at the Shire sometime in summer. Date TBD.