Eleanor Mary DiBernardo

She was born on August 5, 1919, the daughter of Luke and Barbara (McGrath) Walsh of Fitchburg, MA. She attended Fitchburg area schools and graduated from St. Bernard’s High School in 1937.

In her teens, she summered with her grandmother and aunts on Island Street, where she met her future husband, Angelo David DiBernardo. They were married at the Sacred Heart Church in Marlborough, NH on June 17, 1940.

In her early life, Mrs. DiBernardo worked as an operator for the New England Telephone Company. From 1987 to 1992 she was employed by Wendy’s, but most of her life was devoted to her vocation as a wife and loving mother to her seven children.

Mrs. DiBernardo was a very active member of St. Bernard’s Church in Keene. She was a long time member of St. Bernard’s Alter Society, Catholic Daughters and the St. Joseph School PTA. She was an original member representing St. Bernard’s Parish in the ecumenical group, The Interfaith Dialogue Committee. She served as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister with a particular ministry to those in the hospital, St. Bernard’s Church and the Newman Center. She also participated in five trips to Haiti to help and feed the poor and to volunteer in the Haitian orphanages. In addition, she was a Girl Scout Leader and Cub Scout Den Mother.

Later in life, she made several trips to Ireland where she established ties to her grandfather’s family.

Mrs. DiBernardo was proud of her casting in the movie Jumanji as a looter during the filming in downtown Keene.

She is remembered by all who knew her as being a very loving person, a passionate reader – a trait she passed on to her children, a mentor, and an enduring woman who deeply loved her family. Always willing to help anyone in need, her kitchen often looked like a drop-in center for those seeking understanding, empathy, and encouragement.

Mrs. DiBernardo is survived by her children: Davida A. Foley and her husband John of Virginia; Ralph A. DiBernardo and his wife Linda of Portsmouth; Angelo D “Skipper” DiBernardo Jr and his wife Nancy of Swanzey; Barbara W. Peloquin-Hope and her husband David of Keene; John F. DiBernardo Sr. and his wife Patsy of Keene; Patricia C. Woodward of Londonderry; Mary Ellen Pellerin and her husband David, of Keene; 19 grandchildren, 18 great grandchildren, one niece, one cousin, many nephews, and two very dear friends: Mary Delisle and Terry Parenteau. Mrs. DiBernardo’s husband, Angelo David DiBernardo Sr., sister: Barbara Faucher, and brother: Ralph P. Walsh all died earlier.

Calling hours for Mrs. DiBernardo will be held on Sunday, October 5, 2014 from 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm at the Fletcher Funeral Home. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Bernard’s Church, 185 Main Street, Keene, NH on Monday, October 6, 2014 at 11:00 am. Burial will follow at the St. Joseph Cemetery located on Lower Main Street in Keene.

Flowers will be graciously accepted.

Fletcher Funeral Home & Cremation Services (www.fletcherfuneralhome.com), 33 Marlboro St., Keene, NH, has been entrusted with the arrangements.