Rina Mathieu Bernard

Dec. 3, 1950 (Beauceville, Quebec) – May 21, 2023 (Hollywood, Fla.)

Mother, grandmother, sister, entrepreneur, businesswoman, chef, lover of good food, French wine, chocolate cake, dogs, music, dancing, travel, the journey and the destination. Most of all, she loved her family, especially when preparing lavish, everything-from-scratch holiday feasts where the warmth of her delicious food was exceeded only by the warmth pouring from the smiles and hearts surrounding her, including her children Christine and Simon, and two grandchildren, Matthew and Julianna. 

“Let it be, let it be,” was both her anthem and guiding philosophy. Elegant, fiercely independent and beholden to no one but her own formidable drive and work ethic.

One of eight children, she was one of the first two women to graduate from an esteemed Montreal culinary institute. Julia Child was her inspiration, but she veered away from Canada when she moved to Florida in the 1970s with her then-husband and went into the world of real estate and apartment management. She oversaw a growing rental enterprise in which her duties ranged from entertaining to arranging seasonal leases for snowbirds from Quebec.

Perpetually on the move, she enjoyed walking briskly along the Hollywood Broadwalk and scurrying between apartments to take care of endless tasks. “I get exhausted just watching her,” one tenant said.

But Rina knew how to unwind and relax in true Quebecois style. She loved shopping for unique, elegant clothing with her daughter in Hollywood’s finest boutiques and loved to dance and laugh with her son. She also enjoyed nibbling on steak tartare and fine cheeses on trips to her beloved Quebec, spoiling her dogs by feeding them delicacies, and taking an annual 6-week summer retreat to her Swan Lake house dubbed “Chateau Rina” to be near her closeknit Mathieu family. While there, she cooked to her palate’s content. Crepes, cakes and “sucre a la crème” (a Canadian maple sugar confection) were specialties.

The Alzheimer’s diagnosis came nearly a decade ago. Rina did not slow down. She kept living, kept loving, kept close with her beloved sister France, kept going to Shenanigans for lunch every day, kept dancing and laughing.

In her final weeks, she was surrounded by love as family stood vigil and said goodbye, her dog Gizmo nestled by her side.

At her final birthday celebration last December, she ate her favorite special chocolate cake, and her caregiver Brigitte Leblanc serenaded her with “Non, Je ne regrette rien” (No, I regret nothing), the classic song made famous by Edith Piaf.

We only regret that the ride didn’t last longer. But oh, are we grateful for the time we had. We love you always, dearest Rina.

A Celebration of Life/Mass will be held 11 a.m. Thursday, June 1 at Little Flower Catholic Church, 1805 Pierce Street, Hollywood.  The Celebration of LIfe/Mass will be livestreamed via Facebook.  www.facebook.com/LandmarkFuneralHome

A reception will be immediately following at Shenanigans, 1300 S. Federal Highway, Dania Beach. 

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Alzheimer’s Association at ACT.ALZ.ORG/GOTO/RINA