Bernadette "Bernie" Margaret Harter (Swackhammer), age 62, passed away Friday, December 13, 2024, at her home in Apollo Beach, FL. Born on October 22, 1962, the 9th of 10 children in Miami, she later moved to Hollywood, FL, where she graduated from McArthur High School in 1980. Shortly after graduation, Bernadette moved to Tampa, where she met and married her husband of 40 years, Roger E. Harter in 1984. Together, they moved to Cary, North Carolina, where they would begin raising their five children. After over two decades they would make their way back south to Apollo Beach, Florida.

In her youth, Bernadette showed a great love of animals, running and the outdoors, spending days on the beach and the performing arts. Ever the outgoing and effervescent extrovert, she made friends wherever she went, often approaching a conversation with a positive anecdote or a compliment to brighten someone's day. She was a wonderful wife and mother that adored and loved raising her five children. Being a stay-at-home mom was undoubtedly her calling and made an impact on not only her own kids, but many of their friends and classmates. The delight and care she took daily, devoting her time, love and talents to all, but especially her family were unmatched. You could frequently find her volunteering in classrooms or the ballet studio, adding glitz and glam as she used her creativity and passion to create crafts and costumes, often for the whole class. She was truly inspired at Halloween and loved helping the kids and their friends make impressive and unique costumes. She and Roger loved taking the family on trips to the park, beach, and especially Disney, watching the kids eyes light up with magic. Bernadette had a love for anything from the Victorian era and she and Roger spent many afternoons strolling antique shops. This allure for period culture extended into her favorite movies and musicals like Ever After or Pride and Prejudice. Always full of life and ever the optimist with a heart of innocence, Bernadette never failed in helping others and finding ways to bring joy and happiness to all around her. She was also a devout Catholic, with a deep love of Jesus Christ, and devoted her life to following his ways and encouraging others to do the same, professing the importance of purity of heart, mind, soul and body.

She was preceded in death by her parents, George and Nora Swackhammer, her sisters, Noreen Johns, Linda Warrilow and Judy Addison, and brother, Victor Swackhammer. She is survived by her loving husband, Roger Harter and their children; Cheyeanne, Channetel, Sean & Charleena Harter, Charmaine and husband Mason Wagner, and grandchildren Aiden and Iris Wagner. She is also survived by her siblings, John Swackhammer and wife Kathy, George Swackhammer and wife Sue, Sharon and husband Larry Neville, Mike Swackhammer and wife Joan, and Tina Keenan, along with numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

The Family will receive friends for a visitation from 4:00 to 6:00 PM, Thursday, Dec. 26th, at Zipperer's Funeral Home, 1520 33rd St. S.E., Ruskin, FL.

Funeral Services will be held Friday, December 27th at St. Anne's Catholic Church, 106 11th Ave. N.E., Ruskin, FL. There will be a short visitation from 9:00 am with a Mass starting 10:00 am. Following the Mass, there will be a Celebration of Life gathering at South House Event Center, 2650 36th Ave. S.E., Ruskin, FL where family and friends can share photos and fond memories of our Beloved Bernadette.

Burial will be at the National Military Cemetery in Sarasota, Florida on Monday, December 30th.