Barbara Ann Bernardi

Barbara, a 50-year resident of Merced, CA. was born in Charleroi, PA. on January 18, 1934 and passed away in Turlock on Saturday, November 12, 2016. She attended Penn State for two years before serving in the Navy from 1953 until 1957. She was honorably discharged as a Hospital Corpsman Third Class.

While a WAVE at the U.S. Naval Training Center in Maryland, she was chosen from 700 women in service to be presented with the American Spirit Honor Medal. The medal is presented to the training recruit who has displayed outstanding qualities of leadership that best expresses the American Spirit, Honor, Initiative, Loyalty and High Example to Comrade in Arms. These qualities came naturally to Barbara as she often demonstrated during her lifetime.

Barbara met her husband, Jerry, in the Navy while both were stationed at the U.S. Naval Hospital on Mare Island, in Vallejo, CA. Barbara worked for the US Postal Service for 25 years. During her service she received the Ben Franklin Award for her outstanding service. She retired from the Post Office in 1996. She and Jerry circled the globe – visiting Alaska, Italy, China, South America, France, Canada, Mexico, and Hawaii. They traveled extensively throughout the U.S., exploring metropolitan areas and countless state parks. Barbara loved to go to musicals, parties and always appreciated special events from grade school plays to Broadway productions.

She set the standard for the ideal wife, mother and friend by always putting the needs of others above her own. She had a big heart and a generous spirit when it came to supporting charitable organizations.

Barb was well known for extraordinary culinary skills, especially her pastries and confections and she loved to cook for others. Friends and family always looked forward to the holiday season, when Barb could be counted on for her baked goods, including at least one pie for everyone she had ever met.

She was an impeccable dresser with a flair for fashion and accessories, but that would not stop her from lending a helping hand at a moment’s notice, even if the job might get a little messy. She had a love for retail therapy (shopping) and was always looking for a gift to give.

Barbara Bernardi will be deeply missed by friends and a loving family. The daughter of Yefty and Anna Krasnick of Charleroi, PA, Mrs. Bernardi is survived by sister Jean Celaski (son Bob and daughter Laurel), son Dr. Marcus Bernardi of Merced (and wife Jeanne), daughter Janell Leysath of Folsom (and husband Scott) and grandsons Matthew, Nicholas and Jake. A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, November 30th, at 11:00 AM at the Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home located at 1490 B Street Merced, Ca. 95341. In lieu of flowers a donation can be made in Barbara’s name to Fisher House Foundation, 111 Rockville Pike, #420, Rockville, MD 20850. 888-294-8560. FisherHouse.org

Arrangements under the direction of Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home, Merced, CA.