Bernadine “Bunny” Eleanore Leatherman

Bernadine “Bunny” Eleanore Leatherman’s earthly journey ended and her heavenly journey began on Tuesday, February 5, 2019. Bunny battled a number of chronic health conditions in her later years. She was scrappy and rarely complained. Bunny was born Bernadine Eleanore Pulaski in Detroit, Michigan. She grew up in a large, loving, Polish Catholic family on a farm near Buckley, Michigan. She was the youngest of twelve children, eight girls and four boys. She graduated from Buckley High School and moved to Grand Rapids to work at Michigan Bell. She met and married Bert Henry Leatherman and had three children. When her children were of school age, she rejoined the work force. For over forty years she worked in sales.  Her outgoing personality allowed her to excel in selling appliances and furniture. She won many sales awards, including an all-expenses-paid trip to Australia, in the course of her career. Bunny was an adventurous soul up for any new experience. She loved to travel. She enjoyed tagging along with her niece, Patty Rohloff, on Patty’s business trips to the UP. She took many domestic road trips in her little blue Volkswagon with good friend, Carol Nash. She also traveled extensively internationally. Highlights included a trip to Australia, two trips to Poland, cruises in the Baltic and Mediterranean Seas, and a cruise in the Panama Canal. Another favorite trip was to Churchill, Manitoba, to see the polar bears and the northern lights. There were also many family vacations to Mexico and the Cayman Islands. Likely because of her love of travel, she was an avid fan of the travel shows “Survivor” and “The Amazing Race”. A voracious reader, Bunny always had two Kindles at the ready: one to read and one charging. Her favorite genres were thrillers and murder mysteries. She loved visiting with, and cooking for, family. She enjoyed card games; Skip Bo was a favorite. Bunny is predeceased by her parents Matthew and Eleanore Pulaski; brothers, Alphonse, Thaddeus, Peter, Tobias; sisters, Mary, Elizabeth (Sister Digna, IHM), Angeline, Rita, Theresa; and husband Bert. Bunny leaves her sisters Virginia and Veronica. She leaves her children, Sandra Quick (husband John W. Quick MD), Cheryl Leatherman (husband Thomas Fitzgerald, and his large brood), and Amos Leatherman (fiancée Wendy Lake, and her three children); three granddaughters Ashley Marie Leatherman, Hallie Ann Leatherman, Erin Rylee Leatherman; many nieces and nephews; and friends. A visitation will be held Friday, February 8, from 2-4 PM and 6-8 PM, at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Saturday, February 9, at 11 AM, Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church, 1935 Plymouth Ave. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49506. Rev. Scott Nolan presiding. Memorial contributions may be made to Meals on Wheels Western Michigan, 2900 Wilson Ave. SW, Ste. 500, Grandville, MI 49418.