Bernadette Manuel Obituary

Bernadette was an angel who entered my life when I needed it most. She brought selfless love and joy. Bless you and all your family.

I was just thinking about reconnecting with Bernadette, and tried to look her up -- only to discover this sad and shocking news. We worked briefly together at a sweeper company. We had a rapport and we ended up corresponding via e-mail for over a year. I actually attended a cook-out at her house. I liked her very much. Sometimes, if we're blessed, special people enter our lives and we develop a fondness for their personalities, Bernadette was such a person. As life happens, demands of family, financial obligations, and other stresses, we lose touch and then remember those people and might start reading some old e-mails we saved (as I did), and wonder how that person's doing, and then, we discover that we can't reach out to them on this earth... as we had hoped to do. Bernadette shared with me some personal struggles, and I knew she was a very caring person. Although, these condolences are several years late, I do hope that her family finds comfort in knowing she was a very well-regarded human being with much compassion.

My love goes out to your family, dear Bernadette. We were good friends. I did not see you for 3 years and decided to write you a letter, but I found out the bad news. I know you are now at Peace and you know that your lovely children that you loved so much are in good hands and on their own now. I loved you for many years as a good friend. Mike and Nicole will miss you too. I remember the good memories. Remember the hat door hanger I made for you a few years back, and you couldn't wait to show me that you placed it on your front door on Lee Street in Skokie, IL. We met on Hull Street when our children were around 5 years old, and continued a long friendship with our children as well. God Bless you Bernadette and be in Peace in Heaven. Love, your old neighbor and best friend, Kathy Scherrer-Cieplinski

I am so saddened by Bernadette's passing. Jason and Brigid, we haven't seen in each other in years, but I am thinking of you and wishing you strength in this terrible time.

My heart goes out to the family and friends that were the closest to Bernadette. This must have been a difficult journey for you. Just know that she is at peace now, and that her compassion was received by more than just the people that were closest to her. I worked with her for a very short time in the last year, and was touched by the gentle spirit she had.

Patrick my deepeste sympanthy and condolences to you and your family. May you be comforted by the fact Bernadette is a child of GOD and he will forever protect her now and keep her peaceful.

my only sister Bernadette.
How I miss you. I hope your at peace now.
Love Patrick

We lost a sister the day before, the last week of February 2008 was a tragic one. Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire family. Thank you for sharing your son and brother, Kevin with us here in Las Vegas.

My family and I thank each and every one of you for coming here today to honor my sister and grieve her loss. Bernadette meant something different to each and every one of you, though I am sure she touched everyone deeply. We have lost a noble and gentle spirit. I know sharing our grief will help us ease our burden.

My parents were so overjoyed to have their daughter born in March of '59. At birth her life was saved by several blood transfusions. My parents, who had already picked the name Bernadette, decided right then to go to the Shrine of St Bernadette at Lourdes to give thanks for her life. Despite that rough start she was the healthiest of their 5 children. As a young child she develop a love of the water and became a became a first - class swimmer by 1st grade.
Always a hard worker she choose roles in the world that were of service to those around her. As a young girl she baby sat and in her teen years she combine her love of service and the water to become a life guard.

I remember when I was young she doted on me constantly. You see that with three brothers already she was hoping desperately for a sister. When I was born she might have experienced some disappointment that I was another brother, however she cared for me with such affection that she and I both referred to her as my second mommy. Until I was 8 years old she and I shared a room. Coming from a large family such arrangements were necessary. It must have been difficult for a teenage girl to share her personal space, but my sister never complained and from early in her life her trait of selflessness was always evident.

Bernadette was a diligent student always in pursuit of self-improvement. She earned an associates degree by the age of 21 and continued to pursue education throughout her life. Even as the demands of life piled up with a full-time job and children to raise she pursued a college degree and at the age of 38 she achieved her life long goal of earning a Bachelor’s Degree.

Bernadette loved to travel and some of her most joyful times came from trips abroad. Throughout her youth she traveled to Europe to visit her cousins and grandparents. As a young mother with a small child she took a great adventure and relocated to the island of her father’s birth. She enjoyed her time of island life, but eventually she returned to her life in the states. She always spoke of the great times she had during those trips and longed for the privilege of returning to France with her mother and treating her to an extended vacation.

Finding traction in a career always eluded my sister, as did financial prosperity. And she had more then her share of trials in this life. Shortly after the joy of her first born son entered her life her husband passed away. Through all her trials she remained in good cheer and was steadfast in her responsibilities. Always a devoted mother the brightest ray of sunshine in her life was her daughter Bridget. I will always remember how much my sister loved the people in her life. She was deep1`ly concerned with other people and how she could help them. Never one to ask for herself, she stood ready to support every person who crossed her path. A devoted mother, wife, daughter and sister, she worked tirelessly to create an environment of love and comfort for everyone she met.

To the end of her days my sister retained an innocence that was almost childlike. Sometime her naivete startled me, but in the end I saw her tenderness as a virtue worthy of emulation. The hardness of the world was too much for her and we are all left with our own experience of the deep love we hold in our hearts for her and the love she gave to us that will last in our hearts forever.

Let’s just be thankful for all the special moments that my sister has left us. And as we grieve this unexpected loss let us remember to reach out to each and help each other heal just as Bernadette would have led us to do.

May God Bless You and Keep You

Our thoughts & prayers are with Mark, Bridgid, Jason, & the entire O'Hara family. This should not have happened to Bernadette...

Nickey, John and family, Teri and I are sorry for your loss.

My dear friend for over 20 years, I miss you so much.
Friends and family, I grieve with you over the loss of our smart, sparkling, witty, loving and kind Bernadette.

Brigid,just know, you have so many people thinking of you and that love you. My condolences.

May Bernadette rest in peace. What a terrible loss. My condolences to the whole family. I will keep your family in my prayers.

Denyse Arnone Lutz, Prescott AZ

Patrick, Nicole & John.

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. This must have been a dreadful shock. Best wishes during this difficult time.

Fondly,
Caroline Gibbons
IBIP

Nickey, John and family, Peter and I are sorry for your loss. May Bernadette rest in peace. Our heartfelt condolences to you and your family.

I am so sorry for the terrible loss of Bernadette.My sympathies go out to your entire family.I will help in anyway possible.Kathy Barbieri

Bernadette,
May you rest in peace with God. You will be greatly missed by your family.

There are no words...this is a terrible loss.

Offering our deepest condolences during this difficult time.