Brianna “Bri Jr” Woodmere Reid, died unexpectedly on February 5, 2022 at the young age of 21 months after recovering from a brief illness.
The news of Bri Jr’s death comes as a shock to everyone who knew her, as well as those who had followed her remarkable story through various media outlets over the past two years. Her passing comes a mere seven months after the tragic loss of her mother, Brianna Bernhardt, and her family has been left with the unimaginable burden of grieving the compounded loss of two individuals who died far too young. Though the last several days of her life were far more traumatic than she ever deserved, she died peacefully in the ICU at Children’s Wisconsin, surrounded by her immediate family while they sang her favorite nursery rhymes and played Cocomelon as she drew her final breaths.
Bri Jr’s dramatic entry into this world captivated the hearts of thousands of people, as she was delivered two months prematurely, following her mother’s diagnosis of a metastatic cancer that had evaded detection and spread to her brain. Despite the odds being against her, she quickly developed into a perfectly healthy and happy child who instilled joy in everyone she met.
Still reeling from the death of his beloved wife, Bri Jr served dutifully in giving her dad, Nick, purpose in life and the motivation to soldier on, despite the inconceivable hardships he and his family endured over the past year. Though only 21 months old, she displayed an enormous capacity for kindness, a profound love of music, affection towards any type of animal, a mischievous streak that was uncannily like that of her mother’s, and a penchant for blowing kisses to random strangers while out in public.
Bri Jr. was preceded in death by her mother, Brianna Bernhardt; and her grandfather, Roger Haushalter.
She is survived by her father, Nicholas Reid; grandmothers Mary Gardner and Joanne (nee Rosenberger) Bernhardt; grandfather, Brian (Joyce) Bernhardt; and uncle, “Doctor” Noah Bernhardt. She is further survived by a multitude of family, friends, doctors, nurses, and well-wishers the world over, and she will be sorely missed by her teachers and classmates at Grandma’s House in Hartland, WI and Sound Beginnings in Delafield, WI.
Gathering will be held at Krause Funeral Home, 21600 West Capitol Drive, Brookfield, Wisconsin on Saturday, February 12, 2022, 2:00 PM – 4:45 PM. Celebration of Life at 5:00 PM. with reception to follow.