Bernice Steinman Perselay

Bernice S. Perselay, 81, of Charlotte, NC, passed away peacefully at Sardis Oaks after a brief illness. She was born September 2, 1929, in New York City and was the only daughter of Morris Steinman and Ann Levander. The family moved to New Jersey when she was still a young child and she graduated from Lakewood, New Jersey High School and subsequently from the New Jersey College for Women, a part of Rutgers, the State University. She married Gerald who was an US Air Force Officer and was his wife for the next 60 years. Her career in teaching spanned some 30 years in numerous locations from Alaska to Massachusetts and included both grade and high school classes where she was known as a devoted and enterprising teacher. Her love of reading, current events and the artistry of her basket collection and other handicraft indentified her as a true bon vivant of the arts. She was also active for many years in the local Ichibana Chapter having served as its treasurer.

Survivors include her husband Gerald Perselay of Charlotte, NC; a son Lee Perselay of Alexandria, VA who is the Disability Counsel for Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) and a daughter Mara Catalano of Syracuse, NY who is a special education teacher as well as five grandchildren, all of whom are scholars and entrepreneurs in their own right.

The family will receive friends from 3:00 until 5:00 p.m. Sunday, October 10, 2010 at McEwen Funeral Service Pineville Chapel, 10500 Park Rd., Charlotte, NC 28210. Final Inurnment is planned at a later date in the Columbarium at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.

The family would like to express their sincere thanks and appreciation to the doctors, nurses and staff of Sardis Oaks and Presbyterian Hospital in Charlotte, NC for the care given to Bernice as well as the support given to the family during this difficult time. Condolences can be made at www.mcewenpinevillechapel.com or www.MeM.com