Diagnosed with terminal cancer, New York resident Patti Svika-Buckner made it her goal to visit Bermuda one last time.Mrs Svika-Buckner’s final trip became a reality this summer, but she passed away shortly after returning home.Now her daughter, Christine Miller, said she hopes to return to Bermuda so she can thank those people who went above and beyond the call of duty to make sure her mother’s final days were memorable.“These people helped mom find validation in her life. She finally felt someone was listening and that her story was special,” Mrs Miller said. “Her life was celebrated in a way no one else had been able to do.“Her story was made public and a face put to cancer. She was the most courageous person I know and her life had a special touch put on it by the people of Bermuda.”Mrs Svika-Buckner, a frequent cruise ship visitor to Bermuda, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in March 2011.While she underwent surgery to remove the bulk of the tumour, she learned in April that the tumour had doubled in size and there was nothing that could be done.Given just a few months to live, Mrs Svika-Buckner said that all she wanted to do was return to Bermuda.When Michal Tucker, who operates Affordable-Ride Mini-bus, heard about the situation, he decided, unbeknown to her, to take it upon himself to plan the best possible Bermuda experience.Together with Valerie Leader-Furbert, from the Tourism Department, and the Bermuda Cancer and Health Centre, he made sure that Mrs Svika-Buckner received only the best treatment on the Island.During her brief stay, she toured the Island, enjoyed lunch at Salt Rock Grill and had gifts from the Tourism Department and the Cancer Centre delivered to her cruise ship cabin.However Mrs Miller said that Mrs Svika-Buckner went into home hospice care just days after returning to the US, and her condition deteriorated rapidly.“She was never the same again,” Mrs Miller said. “I think that trip was her last burst of energy and her body began the process of shutting down as soon as she got back.“It was hard for her to keep conversation at this point, but the sparkle in eyes let us know how happy she was. She showed off the gifts she had been given to everyone that came to visit.”She died on June 10, surrounded by her family. When she was buried days later, Bermuda sand and sea glass was placed in her casket.Following Mrs Svika-Buckner’s passing, Mrs Miller said she noticed a competition on Facebook with the grand prize being a vacation to Bermuda.Mrs Miller entered the competition using a picture of her mother standing at Mr Tucker’s cab next to the words her mother wrote: “Life is short, enjoy Bermuda.”While she didn’t win the competition, she said the competition sparked her desire to return to Bermuda to thank those who made her mother’s final visit so memorable.“I want nothing more than to travel back to the island any thank each person personally who put effort into mom’s final vacation,” she said.“So much time was put into caring for a stranger and making her feel like a queen.“I don’t think these people realise what it means to us and our family. Those simple acts of kindness are what still let us sleep at night.“We have peace that mom’s final days were filled with ultimate joy. I would love to visit the Cancer Center and see if there is some way my family can reciprocate in generosity.”Mr Tucker said that he had met Mrs Svika-Buckner on a previous visit, and simply did what he thought was the right thing.“Bermuda was literally her last wish,” Mr Tucker said. “Their hometown has e-mailed me many times with best wishes and thanking the people of Bermuda for being so warm and caring.“Patti’s daughter contacted me recently thanking me over and over, and I really don’t know what to say other then if it was my mom I hope some one would have done the same.“Patti taught me a lot. She had a fight to the end of her life, and I was worried about what this or that person thought or said about me.“Life has not been the same for me, and it shows everyday.”