Bernice Evelyn Louise Lagomarsino Matheney ended her 96-year journey on earth on December 9, 2018. Whether known as Bernie, Nana or Mom, she touched many lives before God called her home.
Born in Ventura, California on July 21, 1922, Bernie was the 4th child of Ida Claire Borchard Lagomarsino, a native of Oxnard, and John Alexander Lagomarsino Sr, a native of Ventura, into a family that would eventually grow to 6 children. After graduating from St. Catherine’s Academy High School, and briefly living away from home, she met and married Leslie Leo Matheney, from Meridian, Mississippi, and they began their life together in Ventura. They were blessed with four children before their marriage ended in divorce. As a single mom, Bernie raised a family that would eventually include 7 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren. Each one had a special relationship with Nana and each grew to love her legendary Nana Brownies.
However to limit Bernie’s family to only those who shared her DNA would be a mistake, for she managed to become a dear part of many lives, including her co-workers at Bank of America and Security Pacific National Bank, those who shared her compassion through St Annes’ Guild, the people she met while helping with events of the Rotary Club of Ventura-South, those with whom she regularly played bridge, and everyone who was a friend of her own children and grandchildren. All were welcome in her home.
Bernie was preceded in death by her parents Ida and John, as well as her siblings, James Lagomarsino, Mary Carr Isaacson, Elizabeth Barrow and John A. Lagomarsino II, by brother-in-law, Darrell Bogardus, and by granddaughter, Shannon Kelly. She is survived by her sister, Doris Bogardus, children Lawrence L. Matheney (Lindy), Nancy Kelly (Marty), Robert Matheney and Julie Oppenheim (Bruce), grandchildren Bryan Matheney (Avery), Gina Collins (Luv), Ryan Kelly, Jenna Galvan (Alex), Kevin Oppenheim (Melodie) and Michael Matheney and her 10 precious great grandchildren: Cooper, Drake, Makena, Hannah, Rylie, Gabriel, Makayla, Anorah, Judah and Asher..
Her life will be celebrated on Saturday, January 19, 2019 at 11 am by a mass at Sacred Heart Church, 10800 Henderson Road, Ventura, followed by burial at Ivy Lawn Cemetery in Ventura, under the coordination of Joseph P. Reardon Funeral Home and Cremation Service, Ventura. Reception to follow.
Flowers fade but love and kindness endure. So it is that in lieu of flowers, the family invites donations in Bernie’s name to Livingston Memorial Visiting Nurse Association, 1996 Eastman #101, Ventura, the hospice organization that provided many of the angels who helped with her transition. The family also appreciates the kind care that was provided by CNA’s Maria Ortega, Julia Antonio and Ilene Warren. We could not have prayed for better care.