It is with broken hearts that we share news of the passing of Bernadette Parsons Slingerland. After a lengthy illness, Berni passed away on June 21, 2025 peacefully at home. She leaves behind her daughter Dr. Neeltje Slingerland, her Aunt Helen of St. John’s, NFLD, many friends, and three sisters. Berni will be missed by the many individuals she touched through her volunteer work for various non-profits, her long career, and by the Canadian rowing community.

Born in Toronto, Canada, Berni was the youngest of four daughters born to Marie and Gordon Parsons. She graduated from George Brown College with a diploma in Medical Administration, and had a successful career in downtown Toronto. She immersed herself in rowing, the arts, and in her garden where she found immense peace.

Berni was unstoppable and saw the potential in everyone. She had a passion for great food and wine, and (fortunately) for hosting her friends and family for truly spectacular meals home made with love. She will be remembered for her quick wit, selfless generosity, undeniable determination, and creativity.

While her physical presence may be gone, her impact lives on in the medical advancements she contributed to, kindness shown to others, and joy found in the simple pleasures of life: a blooming flower, a chirping cardinal, a calm lake.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to:

The Argonaut Rowing Club, Para Rowing Program
argonautrowingclub.com
Donations will be used to provide support for those for whom membership fees may be a barrier to participation, and to support the Martha Coffey Junior Development Fund created to encourage excellence in rowing, leadership, mentorship, and inclusion of all junior members.
Please make your gift via the National Sport Trust Fund, administered by the Ontario Sport Network.

JAZZ.FM91
jazz.fm
CJRT-FM is Canada’s only 24/7 jazz radio broadcaster and listener-supported charitable organization, committed to entertaining, inspiring and uniting our local community and the global jazz community they serve through programming, live performance, education, and storytelling.

Dorothy Ley Hospice
dlhospice.org
The Dorothy Ley Hospice supports individuals and families to live well through serious illness, end of life, and loss.

The Seeing Eye Organization
Seeingeye.ca
The Seeing Eye Organization helps blind or visually impaired Canadians get guide dogs to improve their mobility and independence.