Bernadette Muirhead was loved by many and will be missed by many. She had great qualities wanted by all people: humor, compassion, faith, and eternal youth. She was the loving mother of five children.

Born Jan. 3, 1927 in Boston, Mass., she had fond memories of going to her grandmother’s house and working on her farm. After graduating from high school and attending college, she moved to Seattle where she met the love of her life, Ralph Muirhead. They began their family in the Emerald City.

The family moved to San Diego shortly after their marriage. Bernadette and Ralph opened a bookstore, they both loved books. Her grandson called her “book a day” because she would read a book a day.

Ralph and Bernadette moved to Oak Harbor in 1974. Bernadette started Island Thrift while Ralph opened another bookstore. They also had an antique store in La Conner. Bernadette loved to sing and act. She was a member of Anacortes Community Theater and acted and sang in many of their productions.

She is survived by daughters, Jeanette Iacometti of Nebraska, Colleen Fantaroni of Connecticut, Maureen Klindt of Oregon, Kellie Crowdis of Oregon, seven grandchildren and one great-grandchild. She went to a new life Nov. 27, 2008.