Patricia Bernadel Biela

Patricia Bernadel Biela nee Marie Nicole Patricia Bernadel, transitioned and met the Lord on Thursday, June 18, 2026 at home, in Hampton, Va. Patricia, lovingly called Poupouche, Pat, Mom, and Grand Manman was a native of Pétion-Ville, a suburb of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Patricia migrated to the DC/MD/VA Metro area—where she met and wed her husband, Dr. Venancio R. Biela. They began their beautiful love story there. Poupouche was a member of St. Joseph Church, but was baptized, received her first communion and was confirmed at St. Pierre de Pétion-Ville, in Haiti. She was a member of Catholic Daughters of the Americas Court of the Holy Family #2616. Patricia had also been a member of the Hampton Roads Caribbean Organization founded by the late Olive Ezelle. Pat had also enjoyed many years of Jack and Jill of America membership. She engaged in philanthropic endeavors such as donating to the Lukemia Society and the American Cancer Society; donating to St. Joseph Catholic Church, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Catholic Church, St. Augustine Catholic Church, St. Mary’s Bascilla, and Delta Sigma Theta; giving toiletries and hygiene products to those in need in Haiti and Africa, to the veterans, the Bayview community on the Eastern Shore, and so much more. Accolades include, but not limited to: 2026 – 2028 Nominating Chair Catholic Daughters Court of the Holy Family #2616; Perfect Attendance for Rosary Phone Teleconference Prayer 2025—Catholic Daughters Court of the Holy Family #2616; 2014 – 2026 Co-Name Selector for Birthday Buddies and Warm Winter Nights Soul Food Crew.

Patricia was at the top of her class and graduated from Sacre Coeur High School in Pétion-Ville, Haiti. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Federal City College (now UDC). She had enrolled in a Master of Science program at the American University was on her way to receiving her master’s degree. Pat obtained a collegiate professional license allowing her to teach biology, chemistry, and French in Virginia. She educated the youth in science in the Norfolk Public City Schools system (Norfolk, VA) and taught entry level, intermediate, and advance French classes at Hampton University—educating over 384 students during her tenure.

Growing up in Haiti, Poupouche would sit on the front porch with her brothers watching the cars go by—eating sugar cane. In the U.S., Patricia and her husband would enjoy dancing, picnics, and amusement parks together. In Hampton, Patricia and her mom would wave watch at Buckroe Beach. When she left the traditional working world, she continued to grow a strong relationship with her family and church. You would find her going to social gatherings, celebrating birthdays, talking on the phone countless hours to her children, Face Timing with family and friends, singing French songs to her grandchildren and great-niece, watching TV shows, going to plays/musicals and concerts, traveling, traveling virtually, hosting dinners, participating in aroma therapy, and listening to classical, 80s, and Haitian music.

Patricia is preceded in rest by her brother Raynald "Nado" Taylor, father Luther Bernadel, son Charles Biela, husband Venancio Biela Sr., cousins Toni (Baby), Paulette; sister Marie Genevieve Bernadel, cousin/sister Roselys Dabady, mother Alta “Mamie” Pierre, cousin Carlos, cousin Judith, cousin André Ronald, mother-in-law Ana Alberto and step mother Marie Adeline Bernadel. She is survived by adult children, Patricia A. Biela and Venancio (Chidinma) Biela, Jr.; two brothers Windsor and Luther; one sister Rejeanne; three nieces Soraya, Rachelle, and Rebecca; three nephews Christian, Robert, and Noah; two grandchildren, AmaraChi and Vicente; son’s-in-laws Chi and Emmanuel; great-nieces Anaiah and Lilian; great-nephews, Isaiah and Quentin; brother-in-law Pedro Lucas; Cousins: Yona, Barbara, Carol, Romy, Raymond, Nadine, Marie Carmelle, Bob, Bebe, Fifie, Ica, Judith and Marie Helene, the Fernando Family, and a host of other relatives and friends.

Home going services will take place on Friday, July 17, 2026, at St. Joseph Catholic Church 512 Buckroe Ave., Hampton, VA 23664. Beginning with Catholic Daughters of the Americas Memorial Service at 8:30 am, Visitation at 9:00 am opening with words of remembrance and awards, the Divine Chaplet Mercy Prayer will be conducted at 9:30 am. The Funeral Mass will start at 10:00 am.

A mass will take place at St. Charles Catholic Church 3304 Washington Blvd. Arlington, VA 22201 followed by a Committal Service at Arlington National Cemetery, 1 Memorial Ave, Fort Myer, Virginia 22211, US, at a future date.