Bernadette Cheyne, 74, passed away surrounded by her loved ones on Oct, 30 after a brief battle with brain cancer.

Bernadette was born on June 12, 1949, in Menomonie, Wisconsin, to dairy farmer Ronald Buss Sr. and New Zealand immigrant Laurie White. Bernadette was blessed with a passion for theatre - she acted in many productions at the local playhouse while growing up. After attending Northwestern University she traveled to Alaska. While in Alaska, she married, had two daughters, created life-long friendships and completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Theater at the University of Alaska Fairbanks. Following her passion for acting, she and her two daughters moved to Austin, Texas where she completed her Master’s Degree in Fine Arts.

With her Master’s Degree in hand, Bernadette became a professor at Humboldt State University (HSU) in Arcata, where she taught classes in acting, directing, vocal production, dialects and theatre history/theory/criticism. During her 20+ years at HSU, Bernadette was a valued professor, Chair of the Theatre Film and Dance Department, member of the Statewide Senates, worked in multiple capacities with the California State Summer School for the Arts, and was the Vice-Chair of the California State University Board of Trustees. She retired as Professor Emerita in 2013.

As an actor and teacher of acting, Bernadette attained both regional and national prominence as cited in two Kennedy Center awards that recognized her extraordinary contributions to the teaching and producing of theatre.

After retirement, Bernadette stayed active within the California State University Emeritus & Retired Faculty & Staff Association, mentored children in the CASA program and became involved with the Humboldt County Grand Jury as a juror, foreperson, and then trainer. She also continued to act and direct at Redwood Curtain Theater.

Bernadette was preceded in death by her parents, Laurie White and Ronald Buss Sr., beloved husband Ivan Hess, and sister, Rosemary Buss. She is survived by her siblings, Ronald Buss Jr. and Duane Buss; two daughters, Ariana Chapanar (spouse Jene Chapanar) and Niesje Walton (spouse Keith Walton Jr.) and step-son Jed Hess (spouse Janeen Hess); grandchildren, Alexis Walton, Cheryl Walton, Kenneth Walton, Chase Hess, Amber Tatro, Gage Karr, Brandon Evans and the many people whose lives she touched in important and memorable ways.

Family, friends, and acquaintances are invited to celebrate the life of Bernadette Cheyne on Dec. 2, 2023, 12-4 p.m. at the Moonstone Beach House – formerly Merryman’s Beach House – located at 122 Moonstone Beach Rd, Trinidad, CA. Many delicious refreshments will be served and stories will be shared. Please RSVP to celebratebernadette@gmail.com.

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