A well-known and loved Lurgan businesswoman who shared her cancer journey with remarkable honesty and courage in order to help support others has sadly passed away.
Bernadette ‘Bernie’ O’Neill was a woman who understood the importance of making people feel special.
As owner of Perfect Day Wedding Specialists in Lurgan, she helped countless brides and families create memories they would treasure forever.
Yet, beyond the business she so lovingly built, Bernie faced one of life’s most difficult challenges. Since 2019, she had been courageously battling cancer with a diagnosis of follicluar lymphoma – a slow-growing type of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma that primarily affects lymph nodes and can spread to bone marrow and other organs.
Over the last few months, Bernie began to share her journey through social media via her page ‘My Cancer Journey’.
Her posts offered an insight into the reality of living with cancer, the heartache of personal loss and her sheer determination to keep looking forward, even when life took unexpected and devastating turns.
Throughout it all, Bernie remained honest, humorous and hopeful. She hoped to provide a support to others and always offered to be an understanding and empathetic listening ear.
Back in 2019, prior to her diagnosis, Bernie discovered a lump in her neck. As it persisted Bernie was “red-flagged” for scans and biopsies. The results of her tests came back… she had Stage Four low-grade follicular lymphoma in her neck, groin, underarms and thorax.
Following a period of “wait and watch” and eventual treatment, she was given the positive news that she was in “partial remission”.
However, in January 2025 came “the hardest time”, said Bernie. She developed pneumonia and sepsis.
Scans revealed that her lymphoma was spreading towards her liver, meaning further treatment was necessary.
But alongside the fear and uncertainty surrounding her own health, Bernie was facing a separate, unimaginable heartbreak.
Her beloved mum was diagnosed with lung cancer and sadly passed away on August 5, 2025. In an especially poignant part of her story, Bernie revealed that her mum never knew that she, too, was living with cancer.
Bernie’s own treatment had been scheduled to begin on the very day of her mum’s funeral. Unable to face starting treatment that day, she began the following week, eventually spending several days in hospital.
The emotional weight of that period was immense. Bernie also spoke about the difficulty of keeping her diagnosis from her dad, knowing that the timing was not right to tell him.
Despite everything, she continued to navigate her responsibilities, her family life and her businesses, finding ways to keep moving forward.
When she began losing her hair unexpectedly – possibly due to stress – Bernie began to wear hair toppers and wigs, eventually accumulating a “selection of wigs that I love”.
In 2026, Bernie got “wonderful news”, her PET scan showed “no evidence of disease at all!”
“Happy days indeed,” she shared, describing how she and her husband, Ciaran, began making plans, booking holidays and looking forward to life again.
They had an exciting new adventure waiting for them, too. Their brand-new motorhome, affectionately named ‘Teddy the Trekker’, was ready to collect in England, with a ten-day trip planned for July.
For Bernie, it was a chance to dream again, make memories with her husband and enjoy the freedom of travelling together after years marked by uncertainty.
Then in June she began to notice an irregular heart rate. Amid the excitement of booking holidays and collecting ‘Teddy the Trekker’, Bernie unfortunately passed out and Ciaran had to take her immediately to hospital.
In the Lancashire Royal Infirmary, after draining 1500ml of fluid from her lungs, the nurse said gently: “I think this is linked to your cancer,” said Bernie.
In July, the ever optimistic Bernie once again had the rug pulled out from beneath her feet when her oncologist called and told her to “come in straight away”.
She was sent to the Haematology Ward, where she had to wait for her lungs and heart to become stable enough for treatment.
For years, Bernie had spoken about feeling like an imposter — living with cancer while not always feeling particularly ill. Now, as she faced increasingly difficult symptoms, she admitted that many days were a struggle.
Yet even then, her determination remained. “I’ve never let it beat me before, and I won’t now,” she wrote.
She thanked everyone who had sent messages, made calls and kept her in their thoughts, explaining how much their kindness meant to her.
Sadly, Bernie passed away on October 25, peacefully in Craigavon Area Hospital surrounded by her loving family.
The team behind her business, Perfect Day said it was with the “heaviest of hearts” that they announced the passing of their beloved founder and owner.
“Bernie was the heart and soul of Perfect Day & Night, and her loss is deeply felt by all who knew and loved her. Our thoughts, love and prayers are with her husband, Ciaran, her family and friends during this incredibly difficult time.
“As we come to terms with this profound loss, our boutiques will be temporarily closed as we take time to grieve, reflect and honour Bernie’s memory.
“We know that Bernie touched the lives of so many people throughout the years, particularly the brides and families who trusted her to be part of their most special moments. We would love to hear your memories of Bernie, or of the special times you shared with her at Perfect Day & Night.
“Your kind words and stories would mean more to us than we can express and would be a beautiful way to celebrate the life and legacy of someone so special.
“To our cherished customers, brides, friends and the wider community, thank you for your kindness, compassion and understanding during this heartbreaking time. The love and support you have shown us mean the world as we navigate this loss.”
Dawn, of ‘Getting Married in Northern Ireland Bridal Magazine’ also shared her sadness at the loss of her dear friend.
Describing Bernie as “far more than a work associate”, Dawn remembered a cherished friend who brought kindness, fun and dedication to everything she did. She spoke of the honour of working alongside her and the deep sense of loss felt by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
Others echoed those sentiments, remembering Bernie’s positivity right up until the end, her warmth, her kindness and her support for those around her.
One person said: “So very sad to hear of Bernie’s passing after her brave battle with cancer.
“Bernie remained so positive right up until the end, and her kindness, warmth and support for others were truly special. She was such a lovely person, and I know she will be greatly missed by everyone who had the pleasure of knowing her.”
A death noticed described Bernie as the beloved wife of Ciaran and dearly loved daughter of Seamus and the late Eileen Doran (Castlewellan), loving sister of Noreen, dear sister-in-law of Martin O’Neill, and cherished aunt of Charlette and Elza.
Her Funeral arrangements are to follow.
