Virginia Fairfax Bernard

Virginia Fairfax Bernard entered Eternal Rest on June 19, 2024 at the age of 94. A private burial attended by immediate family took place at Metairie Cemetery on June 21. A native of New Orleans, she was born on November 6, 1929. She attended the Academy of the Sacred Heart as a boarder, where she made many lifelong friends, and graduated in 1948. She attended Newcomb College, studying Fine Arts, and was a member of Pi Beta Phi Sorority.

In 1951, she married the love of her life, architect Joseph Grima Bernard of New Orleans, where they raised four children. After her children were of school-age, she started a career as a tour guide, showcasing the history and architecture of the French Quarter, Garden District, and Plantation Country to people from around the world. She also organized tours for The Preservation Resource Center and other local historic preservation groups, leading tours of St. Francisville, Natchez, Charleston, and beyond. She enjoyed being an ambassador of the places she loved.

Virginia was a devout Catholic and lived her faith every day. She was an active member of Holy Name of Jesus Parish and volunteered with her husband in many local Catholic charities that they supported, including the Serra Club and Ozanam Inn. She was a member of the Junior League, the Orleans Club, and the Beanies at Lambeth House. She enjoyed traveling, gardening, art/decor projects and entertaining at her home. Above all, she enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Marie Céleste Villeré Fairfax and John Wheeler Fairfax, Jr., her brother, John W. Fairfax III, F.S.C., and her beloved husband Joseph Grima Bernard.

She is survived by her four children: Marcelle Grima Bernard, John Fairfax “Jeff” Bernard (Erin), Joseph Grima Bernard, Jr. (Seunghee) and Marie Céleste Bernard Bitchatch (Tom). She is also survived by three grandchildren: Elizabeth Lorehn Bernard, John Fairfax Bernard, Jr., and Clarisse Sasha Bernard-Bitchatch, and one great grandchild: baby Benjamin Marshall Bernard.

The family wishes to thank all of the amazing staff at Lambeth House for their loving support. She spent 14 very happy years there, full of wonderful memories.

A memorial Mass is planned for Saturday, October 19, 2024 at 1:30 p.m. at Holy Name of Jesus Church, 6367 St. Charles Ave. Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. In lieu of flowers contributions in her memory may be made to Ozanam Inn and Covenant House New Orleans.

Grant her Eternal Rest, O Lord, and let Perpetual Light shine upon her.

To sign and view the Family Guestbook, please visit the online guestbook at www.lakelawnmetairie.com