Bernice Thorp Obituary

Bernice L. Thorp departed life on Saturday, May 7, 2022. She is deeply missed by her family.

Bernice Marie Lemke was born on February 13, 1932 to Edward F. Lemke, Sr. and Martha (Miller) Lemke in Meriden, CT. She was the second of five siblings. Bernie attended St. Mary's School and graduated from Meriden High School in 1949.

Bernie married Norman (Pete) Thorp in 1950 and moved to Yalesville, where she had four children: Priscilla (Fernand, Jr.) Tremblay, Laurel (Jose) Casanova, Bruce (Marlene) Thorp and Andrew Thorp, Sr.

Bernie had a variety of jobs in her careers. She had been a switchboard operator for the telephone company and the federal government. She worked as a wrapper for many years at Factory H for International Silver. She then worked for many years in the Deli Department at First National/Finest stores, Everybody's Market and Stop & Shop in Wallingford. She also trained as a CNA at Masonic Home and Skyview.

In 1994, she moved to East Haddam, where she worked as assistant to the Director of the Senior Center, as a postal clerk and as a deli clerk at the Grist Mill Market. She also worked as a Companion and Homemaker.

Bernie loved traveling, reading and camping. She belonged to Our Lady of Fatima Ladies Guild (Yalesville), St. Elizabeth's Society of St. Mary's Church (Meriden), St. Bridget's Ladies Guild (Moodus) and East Haddam Community Lions.

Bernie was predeceased by her parents, her sisters, Rita Coss and Carol Webster; her brother, Martin Lemke; and her granddaughter, Erin Michelle Tremblay.

She is survived by her brother, Edward Lemke, Jr., her children and her grandchildren, Fernand Tremblay III, Rachel McIntosh, Ronald Tremblay II, David Casanova, Joseph Casanova, Michael Thorp, Christine Thorp, Lindsay Thorp, Andrew Thorp, Jr., and Ryan Thorp. Also, great-grands Peyton Tremblay, Quinn Tremblay and David Casanova, Jr., and many cousins, nieces, and nephews.

Bernie's funeral will be held at St. Boniface Cemetery, 980 Old Colony Rd., Meriden, CT on Saturday, May 21, 2022 at 11 a.m. The arrangements are under the directions of the John J. Ferry & Sons Funeral Home, 88 E. Main St., Meriden, CT 06450. For online condolences, please visit jferryfh.com.