Tisha Bilsky

Tisha M Bilsky, of St. Stephen, NB, passed away peacefully on Monday, May13, 2024 at the Saint John Regional Hospital, Saint John, NB, from complications due to myelofibrosis (bone marrow cancer).

Tisha was born in Duncan, BC to Lachlan and Mary Berner.

She mainly grew up in Regina, Saskatchewan and attended both Central Collegiate and F.W. Johnson Collegiate High Schools, graduating in 1989.

Her postsecondary career included an Early Childhood Development Diploma from SIAST, a bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Regina and an Indigenous Studies Diploma from the First Nations University of Canada. After a brief career in social work Tisha held several different jobs and operated a home daycare (in Prince Albert, SK).

Tisha’s biggest passion was her family, closely followed by caring for animals.   Aside from owning dogs, cats, lizards, snakes, birds and rodents of all kinds, she tirelessly volunteered at animal shelters and worked for several vet clinics; as well as doing pet photography.  Tisha’s favorite jobs where at Corman Park Vet Services (in Saskatoon, SK), St. George Veterinary Clinic, St. George Animal Shelter and her most recent one at DealerMine. She made deep and cherished friendships at all these jobs.

Aside from her work with animals Tisha was a wife of 20+ years and a mother of two wonderful sons, Wiil and Dalton.  She was very involved in her sons’ lives, volunteering in their activities (cadets, archery, fencing, etc.).  Her sons were what brought her out East after her divorce; she was proud of them and wanted to be nearby.

Later in life, Tisha established and obtained her Métis citizenship with the Manitoba Métis Federation and was so proud to do so.

Tisha is also survived by her father Lachlan Berner, uncle, Glenn Campbell (Evelyn), aunts, Cecilia Sliva (Gerald), Therese Sandager (Rob), Netty Parkette, and Brenda Berner, her ex-husband Arlas Keeler,  brother, Brent Bilsky (Gwen); adopted brothers, Damian Hagan and Drew McFarland (Leah), sons, William Keeler (Felicia) and Dalton Keller (Shelby), grandson, Deejay Cieczkowski-Keeler, nephews, Nathaniel Bilsky (Briana), Ben Bilsky, Joseph Bilsky and Ian Bilsky, foster-niece, Stephanie Clarke, her dog, Titan and her cats, Mewmew & Bugbug.

Tisha was predeceased by her maternal grandparents, Bryce & Geraldine (nee Glenn) Campbell, her paternal grandparents, John Michael (Jack) Berner & Mary Cox (nee McDonnel), paternal (adopted) grandfather Merv Cox, her own adopted grandparents, Mikael & Gertrude (nee Balawyder) Bilsky,  her mother Mary Elizabeth Bilsky (nee Campbell); her adopted father Ralph David Bilsky, her uncles Gary Hoodle, Glenn Hoodle, Brain Berner, and Roger Parkette, her aunt Jackie Berner, her foster-brothers Scott McCallum and Gregg McCallum, as well as many past pets. 

A living wake service was held on May 13^th, 2024, at the Saint John Regional Hospital, Saint John, NB.  Friends and family visited with Tisha to celebrate her life and say their last goodbyes.

Tisha passed into her last sleep while singing prayers to her family and sons. It was beautiful.

For those who wish, donations to St. George Animal Shelter, in her memory would be greatly appreciated.  Condolence may be sent to the family online at mehanfuneralhome.ca