Hi there, my name is Karla Potter, I am Bernetta Potter’s daughter and honoured to be asked to share her story. Bernetta sadly passed away on the 8th of December 2023 at the age of 59 after battling cancer with the upmost grace and perseverance for 15 months. Bernetta was the light of our lives, the one who I call my best friend and who never failed to be there for us through any situations and I will forever count myself incredibly lucky to be Bernetta’s daughter.
Bernetta absolutely loved tennis and being a part of Portmarnock Tennis Club for many years. There was always a pep in her step whenever she got home from a match (regardless of the score!) and going up to play was one of the highlights of her week. Our mum was an incredible mother, a caring daughter and a devoted wife. Along with tennis, Bernetta loved baking, knitting, golf, being surrounded by people, hosting dinners and also a bit of peace and quiet with her books!
In April 2022, my mum got covid, after that she never really was herself. But there was no sign of anything too extreme and it always just seemed like long covid or a chest infection. It wasn’t until September 2022 when she finally got a diagnoses of Metastatic Breast Cancer. However, it took so long to find as they were not able to find the primary source of cancer. There was no lump, there was no indication or any symptoms of breast cancer. It was only after many scans they discovered there when there was lesions on her bones and found breast cancer cells within the bone.
Straight away, my mum being my mum, encouraged us to live our lives go travelling on trips we had already booked, I was off to Australia for four months, my older brother, Dylan, was going to California for a few weeks & my younger brother, Sam, was starting a masters in Belfast, and regardless of the pain she was determined to still be there for us no matter what.
The prognoses was good, the doctor had said that he could see her living a life with this cancer and being managed with advanced medication everyday. The news shook us, it is sad that it took such horrendous news to really appreciate the time you have with your loved ones and to see what is really important in the world. However, having that buffer of time to still enjoy life together and the hope of having her there for our big milestones in time to come got us through those first few weeks.
After a few months when they had found the balance of her medications and she began to get a little bit more herself. She joined the choir in Portmarnock and still was going out with her incredible group of friends who supported her throughout the journey. There were regular checks ups, bi-monthly blood infusions, scans, the list goes on. Bernetta was in the care of the Bons Secours hospital in Glasnevin and I really want to extend my thanks to all the staff in there, from the nurses, carers, doctors, porters, everyone was so kind and really made her feel at ease during her treatment.
On Thursday 30th of November 2023 my mum went in for a procedure which was seen as a routine procedure. However, my mum started to go downhill rapidly. The time we had went from years to days and my mum slipped away peacefully on the evening of Friday 8th of December, with the four of us and her mum Sally by her side, along with all the Potter Family who were a huge part of her life.
Unfortunately, many families in Ireland know how difficult it can be when a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer and watching them fight the battle. I know firsthand the incredible work the Irish cancer society do to help guide those who have lost a love one to cancer through bereavement services or those who need someone to talk to in trying to navigate a diagnose. There is more to cancer than the physical illness, there is a huge mental side of the illness, which is where the Irish Cancer Society showed up for our Mum and family and it is something I will be enternally grateful for. It is a charity that will always be close to my heart.
If you have anything to donate at any stage, whether that be monetary, or clothes to drop in to the Irish Cancer Charity shops or your time to volunteer, you will be helping an incredible amount of families and people who are dealing with Cancer. I want to also thank Portmarnock Tennis Club for organising a beautiful day to raise funds for an amazing cause.
Thank you for taking the time to read Bernetta’s story, thank you to everyone who supported her in life.
"There is more to cancer than the physical illness, there is a huge mental side of the illness, which is where the Irish Cancer Society showed up for our Mum and family and it is something I will be eternally grateful for."
Thank you, Karla, for sharing your mum’s story. Her love of tennis and her warmth as a friend and club member will always be remembered here in Portmarnock.
Your words remind us how many families in our community are touched by cancer and why supporting the Irish Cancer Society is so important. We are grateful to you for letting us honour Bernetta’s memory.
Portmarnock Tennis Club Committee
