Constance Tashof Bernton

Constance Tashof Bernton, a native Washingtonian and beloved wife of Dr. Horace “Bud” Bernton, passed away Sunday, Dec 11. Connie was 90 years old. She died of cancer, which she battled with courage and dignity in the final months of a life full of love for her family and friends.

Connie was born Oct. 5 1926, growing up in northwest Washington and graduating from Wilson High School in 1944. She met her future husband, Bud, when she was 13, and married him a decade later. She received her undergraduate degree from Connecticut College, and a master’s degree in counseling from George Washington University. She took great pride in pioneering a curriculum of health promotion counseling at Bowie State College, where she served on the faculty for an eight-year period ending in 1981. She taught courses at Trinity Washington University for another decade.

She had a passion for people and places, and through the course of her 67-year marriage to Bud, they ventured around the country and the world. They were both very involved in community service in Collier County Florida, where they spent much of their time for nearly two decades.

For Connie, her family always remained the centerpiece of her life. She leaves behind, her husband, Horace Bernton, three sons and their wives, Edward and Alice Bernton, of Washington D.C., John Tashof and Sharon Bernton, of Denver, Colorado, and Hal and Ann Bernton of Portland, Oregon. She also is survived by six grandchildren, Jeremy Bernton, Mahanya Bernton-Bar, Robert Bernton, Lauren Bernton, Matthew Bernton, and Mary Bernton.

Memorial contributions may be made to Jewish Social Service Agency Hospice, Rockville Maryland and the Community Foundation of Collier County, Naples, Florida. A memorial service will be held at noon Sunday Dec. 18 at Joseph Gawler’s Sons at 5130 Wisconsin Ave, NW

Arrangements under the direction of Joseph Gawler's Sons LLC, Washington, DC.