1953-2023

Bernadette Sobkiewicz Davis passed away from a chronic heart condition on June 26, 2023 in her long-time home in Mission Viejo, California. She was born Bernadetta Teresa Sobkiewicz on July 1, 1953, in Manchester, England. At a young age, she emigrated with her family to Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada, followed by moves to Cleveland, Ohio; Dallas, Texas; Denver, Colorado; and Huntington Beach and Fountain Valley, California as her father Stefan progressed through a successful career as an aerospace engineer. As a child, her heart for helping others was evident as she was recognized by the Dallas press for her work with UNICEF, the United Nations Children's Fund.

After graduating from Marina High School in Huntington Beach, she enrolled at the University of California, Irvine, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in History at the age of twenty. She later earned a Master's Degree in History from California State University, Long Beach.

After a short stint working in the Contracts and Grants office at her alma mater UC Irvine, she found her true vocation as a teacher starting in 1981 at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo. She spent nearly 40 years there as an Adjunct History Professor before retiring. She was at various times also part of the adjunct faculties at other Orange County community colleges such as Golden West, Irvine Valley, Orange Coast, and Santiago Canyon.

A fact not known to many is that in 1974 she appeared as a contestant on the television game show Split Second, hosted by Tom Kennedy.

She is survived by her two adult sons Andrew Jeremy Davis and Christopher Peter Davis. She is also survived by her sister Pat, and now joins her brothers Ron, Martin, and Stefan in eternal life. She was a long-time member of St. Margaret of Scotland Episcopal Church in San Juan Capistrano, where both of her sons were baptized and confirmed, and where Andrew served as an Acolyte. Christopher accompanied her to services there through the 2023 Lenten season. Her funeral service was held there as well, officiated by her spiritual adviser for many years, the Reverend Canon Robert Edwards.

Memorial donations may be made to City of Mission Viejo Animal Services (949-470-3045).

"To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die."
― Thomas Campbell

Memories and Tributes

Hello, my name is Nancy Nicolosi. I have been thinking about what I would say in Bernadette's honor. I have a lot of thoughts. First, she was my friend. They say, "People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime." She was all of them.

The reason: We met as band parents at CVHS Black and Gold Brigade when Christopher and my son Anthony were freshman. We hit it off immediately with her dry sense of humor. We helped each other through hospitality at Field shows, went to football games, Christmas parades, band competitions and concerts.

The season: We remained friends throughout the 4 years of our sons' high school band careers. One funny remembrance was at their Senior year Championship Show, that was hosted by her alma mater, Huntington Beach High School, (I believe) They won the championship!! We cried like two crazy women! Blubbering about how happy and proud we were while jumping up and down. But we did not end it there. It would have been acceptable if we did as our sons were moving on to their separate universities.

A lifetime: We had a continued friendship for the past 16 years, walking on Aliso Creek trail, going to garden events, trips to Laguna Beach, coffee out, and celebrating holidays and birthdays. She gave the best gifts that were well thought out that I enjoy in my home today. Politically we were opposites but although we did not often agree, we always respected the others opinion. A lot of shaking heads!

Friends for a lifetime are rare gems indeed and deserve to be treated that way. I hope she felt like I was her friend for life.

And now as I think of my dear friend, Bernadette, I think of how much she loved her sons. She would have done anything for them. I hope they knew that. She was one intelligent woman who was a stellar professor for all those years. I will never see France or England the same way as I know how much of an anglophile and Francophile she was.

A funny note for me is she somehow avoided the dreaded Great Park Balloon that I encouraged her to ride. I used to comment on it every time we drove by with her definite NO! I will now say a prayer for her each time I see it on the way to work.

No one was like her, and I guess I am glad she was one of a kind. I am at peace that her great faith has led her to paradise. A place she so richly desired. Rest in peace, my sweet Bernadette, I am missing you! Cheerio, Au revoir,a la prochaine (Good bye ,until next time)

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When I first met Bernadette, it was in the summer of 1973. We met in Paris, France and were attending the school, Alliance Francaise. I was 19 years old at the time. Bernadette was about to turn or had just turned 20 years old.

Having studied French and the culture here in the states, we both felt we were ready for the French. Boy! What a shock that was. I think Bernadette felt homesick at the start and had some time adjusting, more so than myself. But as time went on, we both felt a little more at ease. I had arrived in Paris a couple of weeks before she did. It took me a week to learn the Metro system. But afterwards, Bernadette and I were all over the city soaking up the history and culture.

There were occasions when we would be sitting at the dinner table at the home we stayed in and during dinner we felt a little depressed. We both drank that horrible table wine. Everyone else at the dinner table diluted it with water.

The woman of the household  liked neither Bernadette nor me. Because we would speak English from time to time. I remember one evening Bernadette and I were going to go out into the city for the evening. As we walked down the street a few meters, we decided to just go back to the house. We went into Bernadette's bedroom and talked about everything under the sun. All of a sudden there was a rapid knock on the door. The person, who was the woman of the house, asked who was there (in French, of course). When we opened the door, she was pissed to say the least. She thought Bernadette and I were doing something that we shouldn't be doing. Needless to say, that was the last time were allowed to go behind closed doors alone.

During our stay in Paris that summer, Bernadette and I took a weekend and went to London and another weekend to Lucerne, Switzerland. It was very enjoyable. We ran into a friend of mine from high school while in Lucerne.

When it was time for me to come home, Bernadette decided to leave with me, a little earlier than expected for her. To make a long story short, we ran into airline strikes and cancellations. Finally, we arrived in the middle of the night back at LAX. Her parents waited for her with a large bouquet of flowers and waiting for me were my  parents and some friends.

Up to this very day, Bernadette and I would always reminisce about our trip. Yes, Bernadette! Those were some good times. You will be missed. Rest in peace.

Love

Scott Miller