Mary Bernadette Steele

Bernadette was born December 24, 1926 in Fresno, California to Andrew and Claire Steele.

She attended St. Therese School and a local business college, where she was a member of Alpha Xi chapter of Alpha Iota Business Sorority.

She was a loyal employee of the California State Department of Motor Vehicles for over 40 years.

After retirement, Bernadette used her wonderful secretarial skills to benefit organizations to which she belonged, such as the local state retirees' chapter, YLI, and California Gardening Club.

She also served as Eucharistic Minister at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church and did other volunteer work.

Bernadette expressed her artistic skills in many ways, most notably through ceramics painting and needlework. She enjoyed travel, visiting many overseas locations.

Bernadette was preceded in death by her parents; and three siblings, Jean Elizabeth Golden, Andrew Thomas Steele, and Br. Andrew "Donald" Steele, FSC.

She is survived by her sister-in-law, Anne Steele; and many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

Visitation will be held at Whitehurst, Sullivan, Burns & Blair Funeral Home on Sunday, November 2, 2014 from 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. followed by Recitation of the Holy Rosary at 4:00 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Our Lady of Victory Catholic Church on Monday, November 3, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. followed by interment at St. Peter's Cemetery.

The family wishes to acknowledge Nazareth House and Hinds Hospice for the excellent care Bernadette received and requests remembrances be made to either institution.