Bernadette Ann Neigut (Bigon) was born in Granger, Texas on February 20^th, 1932 to Annie Bigon (Zavodny) and John Bigon. She grew up on the family farm, picking cotton, corn and raising chickens.   After high school, she moved to Austin, Texas to attend nursing school at the Seton School of nursing. It was there that she met “Joey”, an orderly with thick auburn hair. They had many wonderful times and escapades in Austin with their friends. Bern and Joe married and moved to Galveston for Joe to start medical school at UTMB. Bern worked as a nurse at UTMB while Joe attended classes (they both split shifts caring for the children when off duty). Bern and Joe then relocated to Austin while Joe did his internship, and then they relocated to Junction, Texas where newly licensed Dr. Joe Neigut opened a general practice (the building is now the Kimble County Library, which was donated to the county by Bern and Joe).  Bern and Joe lived there for three years and Bern became a full-time mom to the children.  Their time in Junction was very special to them, they had many fond memories and kept up with many friends who lived there.  They then moved to San Antonio for Dr. Neigut to begin a new career in ophthalmology so he was able to spend more time with his family, and Bern continued caring for the children and was an active member of St. Pius X Catholic Church, volunteering for the church and the school.  They lived in San Antonio until 2015 when they moved to El Lago, Texas to be close to their sons.

Bern was the best mother; she loved cooking and trying new recipes, and took all four children to many activities, participating in these as well. Tutor, teacher, and even Den Mother for her kids, she also was an amazing seamstress, sewing most of the clothing for the family and even sewed beautiful wedding dresses for her daughters. She knitted and crocheted and taught her daughters and grandchildren the craft. She loved dancing, solving puzzles and playing cards with their many friends and remained active in her grandchildren’s lives.  Bern’s love for house plants, animals and wildlife continued through her life as she always tenderly cared (and raised) for any and all abandoned animals and enjoyed countless hours viewing the many squirrels and birds from her kitchen table.

Bern suffered several strokes and passed away peacefully at home on October 14th, 2025, with her family and beloved caretakers surrounding her.  She was preceded in death by her beloved husband Joseph (d. October 4, 2023), daughter Julia, parents Annie and John, brothers John, Daniel, Edward and Albert. She is survived by her children Deborah (Gerald Dodd,III, MD), Stephen, and Joseph (Shona). She also leaves behind 11 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren.

A celebration of both Joseph and Bern’s lives will be held on September 5, 2026 in Junction, Texas, on their 73^rd wedding anniversary.