Barbara A. Bernardi
...active in community projects and St. William's Parish; 79
TEWKSBURY - Barbara A. (Donovan) Bernardi, age 79, a former employee of the town, Gold Star Mother, and member of several town committees, died Monday morning, May 17, at the Westford House, after a long period of declining health. She was the beloved wife of Leo T. Bernardi, also a resident of Westford House, with whom she had celebrated a 51st wedding anniversary this past September 20th.
She was born in Somerville, April 16, 1931, one of five daughters of the late John J. and Caroline (Schwehr) Donovan. She was raised in Somerville but lived in Tewksbury for the past five decades.
She worked for the town's Personnel Board, the Conservation Commission, and as secretary to the Town Clerk for the Town of Tewksbury, but remained active in her roles as a member of the Patriotic Committee, now the Tewksbury Patriotic Activities Committee, and the Tewksbury Homecoming Committee. Barbara and her husband were "doers" whom, without the spotlight, speeches or fanfare, made events successful. Through hard work and a "hands on" approach, their involvement was a guarantee of success for every event in which they participated. She retired as secretary at the David O'Brien C.P.A. company in Tewksbury.
Barbara also served her church, the Parish of St. William in Tewksbury, as a Lector and Lector Scheduler for over 36 years. She was also a Past Commander of the Disabled American Veteran's Association, Women's Auxiliary, Post 110 in Tewksbury.
In addition to her devotion to her community and church, she was the beloved mother of Mary Sain of Groton, MA, Jean Silk and her husband Joseph of Westford, Gail Roberge and her husband Douglas of Dracut, Julie Bernardi-Johnson and her husband Raymond of Woburn, David Bernardi of Lowell, and 2nd Petty Officer, Joseph Bernardi, U.S. Navy, who died in 1985. She was also sister of Mary A. Kane of Tewksbury, the late Kathleen Holmes, Caroline Frances Donovan, and Grace Bennett; grandmother of Stephanie and Christopher Sain, Matthew, Alicia, Adam, and Kellie Silk, Tyler and Madison Roberge, Nathan and Alex Johnson; and survived by many nieces and nephews.
Her Mass was celebrated Thursday, May 20, in St. William's Church, Tewksbury. Burial followed at Tewksbury Cemetery. Memorials to the Friends of the Tewksbury Patriotic Activities Committee, P.O. Box 436, Tewksbury, MA 01876, will be appreciated.