Jeanne Cleary Bernhard

March 5th, 1943-January 22nd, 2011

Jeanne Patrick Bernhard (née Cleary) of Portland passed away peacefully on Saturday, Jan. 22nd, 2011 at age 67. She had battled cancer valiantly for over nine years.

Jeanne was born in Portland, Oregon on March 5th, 1943 to Helen (Venus) and Dr. Joseph P. Cleary, the first of three children. In proper Irish fashion, being the first born, she was given the middle name Patrick, as family tradition held that there should be a Patrick in every generation. That tradition continues two generations later. She was joined soon after by her sister Jo Ellen and brother Michael. Their father passed away when they were still children, and it can be safely said that Jeanne played a large part in helping to raise her siblings, both of whom shared in her fierce intelligence and independence, irreverent humor and personal and professional successes in life.

Jeanne attended St. Lawrence School in Portland. One notable friendship made during that time was with Ellie Krieger. Together they shared piano lessons, sentence diagrams, 1st Communion, Confirmation and choir. Ellie spent many enjoyable and poignant hours with Jeanne during the last months of her life. Her presence in those days was an incredible comfort to Jeanne, and greatly appreciated by her family. Jeanne spent her adolescence in Los Angeles, graduating from Notre Dame Academy in 1960.

Jeanne returned to Portland and graduated from the University of Portland in 1964 with a Bachelor of Science in Medical Technology. While there she met her future husband, William (“Bill”) Bernhard, who preceded her in death in 2005. Also during this time she met friends she would have for life. Among them were the Henderson, Rentz, Barrett, Roller and Kahl families. They became her extended family; together they raised their children, shared holidays, vacationed, and provided each other support through all of life’s joys and tragedies.

Jeanne and Bill welcomed their daughter, Carole Jeannette into their life in 1965. Carole learned well from her mother’s example: she excelled in academics and established herself as a business professional in a typically male industry. She passed on diligence, strength and a superior work ethic to her daughter, who was incredibly proactive in her mother’s last years, coordinating her care and estate while busily raising her own family and being deeply involved in her community. Carole was joined by her brother Patrick in 1970. Patrick was adopted and it is a testament to Jeanne’s open-hearted and kind nature that years later she welcomed his birth mother Janora and her family with open arms, displaying the charm, grace and dignity that were her hallmarks.

Once her children were well established in school, Jeanne embarked upon a long and illustrious career in the local auto industry. This career started at Greenlee’s in 1977 and culminated in a lengthy employment with Ron Tonkin Dealerships, primarily the Acura dealership on Canyon Road. During her tenure there as a Business Manager, the dealership received numerous awards for excellence and regularly posted industry leading results. This career allowed her to be both a mentee and mentor, and she made great friends during this time. Some of those who were especially close were Michael Cho, Jean & Garth Fricke, Anne & Mark Pracht, Gabe Matos, Judi Oldham, Ed Skavinsky , Todd Rendsland, Steve Lee and, of course, the Tonkin family (Ron, Brad and Ed), who were incredibly kind and understanding when her health became a challenge.

Jeanne loved her family retreat in Divide, Montana and spent many a joyous and reflective time there with family and friends. She was also fortunate to travel through Asia, visit ancestral Ireland, and hosted an exquisite cruise to Alaska for her grateful family.

The family would like to extend our deepest thanks to everyone who stood with us and cared for Jeanne during a long and difficult illness. Her Oncologist, Dr. Gerald Siegal, is a true miracle worker—always finding yet another approach to fighting her illness, always giving her hope and courage to carry on. He blessed us with so much more time, and was the catalyst that Jeanne’s inherent strength fed off and that kept her always striving for one more day. His staff made her regular treatments tolerable. The entire staff at West Hills Health and Rehabilitation made her as comfortable as could be, and many crossed the invisible line between caregiver and friend to make it that much easier for her in her final days.

Jeanne is survived by her daughter, Carole and son, Patrick. She was a second mother and great friend to their respective spouses Jim and Suzee, and a beloved Grandma to Aidan, Prosper and Zane. She leaves behind her brother Mike and his wife Stephanie, along with special niece Katie. Her sister Jo Ellen will continue to represent her Montana spirit best. Her Aunt Francis provided her with an example of fortitude. She has many cousins on the Kruer and Kirsch side of the Cleary family tree. She is also the “mother of some other brothers”, Armando Montes and Jeff Becker.

Services will be held at Holy Trinity Catholic Church, 13715 SW Walker Road, Beaverton, Oregon at 11 a.m. on Monday, January 31st. There will be a reception to follow downstairs in the Fireside Room.

Remembrances may be made to the Jeanne Cleary Bernhard Praying Hands Memorial Scholarship in care of the University of Portland, 5000 N. Willamette Blvd., Portland, OR 97203

Please visit our website at www.peggpaxsonspringerfuneralhome.com

Arrangements under the direction of Pegg, Paxson & Springer Funeral Chapel, Beaverton, OR.