Bernadine Eileen Mangan

8/23/30 - 9/19/16

When Irish eyes are smiling

Sure, 'tis like the morn in Spring

In the lilt of Irish laughter

You can hear the angels sing

When Irish hearts are happy

All the world seems bright and gay

And when Irish eyes are smiling

Sure, they steal your heart away

Bernadine Eileen (Sheehan) Mangan of Charlotte, NC, formerly of Lima, NY known as Bern to family and friends, passed away peacefully on Monday, September 19, 2016 at the age of 86.

Bern was a lifelong learner who earned a BA in Philosophy in 1995 from Nazareth College in Rochester, NY at the age of 65. She enjoyed a long career beginning as an executive assistant to the president of Stromberg-Carlson in 1950 moving on to positions at St. Agnes School in Avon, NY and McQuaid Jesuit High School in Rochester, NY. She was the founder of Self Discovery Workshops focused on women’s empowerment. Bern was also a writer and contributor to the Livingston County News. Bern's beautiful soprano voice rang in choirs throughout her lifetime from the St Rose Church Choir to the Lima Bicentennial Choir to the Mecklenburg County Chorus. She loved her Irish ancestry including a stint living and writing in Ireland - a lifelong dream. Bern's wanderlust also led her to almost all 50 states and many countries including France, the UK, Italy, Mexico and Canada.

Bern is survived by her children Margaret Mangan Lancaster of Asheville, NC; Patrick (Nancy) of Annandale, VA; Molly Mangan Holewinski (Rick) of Aurora, CO; John (Bronwen) of Guilford, CT; Edward of Charlotte, NC, grandchildren Madeline and Maximilian of Aurora, CO; Kaitlyn and Teagan of Annandale, VA, Summer of Guilford, CT; sister Midge (Sheehan) Merritt of Lansing, MI; and many dear cousins, nieces and nephews. Bern was predeceased by her parents, Frank Bernard Sheehan and Alice Marie (Jones) Sheehan of Lima, NY; husband, John R. Mangan Sr. of Rochester, NY, sister Maureen Quinlan Devine and brother Gerald Francis Sheehan.

Bern had written her own epitaph many years ago as part of a class she took, which read -

HERE LIES BERN

She loved to dance.

She loved to sing.

She loved to talk.

She loved to BE.

A memorial service is being planned to take place in Lima, New York at a date to be determined. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Women’s National Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, New York. https://www.womenofthehall.org/ways-to-give/donate-now/