Mary Clare Bergin Specht

Mary Clare Bergin Specht, a resident of New York, NY, died on December 6, 2019, at the age of 88. She was born on January 4, 1931, in New Rochelle, NY, to Aurelie T. Langley and Frank T. Bergin. Mary Clare graduated from New Rochelle High School in New Rochelle, NY.

Mary Clare is survived by her beloved husband of 39 years Frederick M. Specht, her brother Frank and twelve nieces and nephews: Joseph, Aurelie, Thomas, Paul, William, Marguerite, Emily, Donna Marie, Cindy, Mary Clare, Christopher, and Timothy. Also by sixteen great nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister, Aurelie F. Agresta.

Her education included the Traphagen School of design, Fashion Institute of Design, and Harvard’s Executive Continuing Education program. Mary Clare worked at Bergdorf Goodman in fashion and window display design, and then went on to a 50 year career in interior design as the owner of her own very successful design company: Bergin Interiors, Inc. Her notable clients were Avon, Marymount Manhattan College, NYU Law School, Columbia University, and the Archdiocese of New York. Her creativity was boundless, colorful, and above all fun. She brought her exceptional style and taste to apartments, schools, and institutions.

Mary Clare was very passionate about her community and her neighbors. She was one of the longest presiding presidents of Sutton Area Community, serving eleven years. She also served as Chairwoman of the St. John the Evangelist Parish Council, and President of the Davis Park Medical Association.

One of her greatest loves was the beach house in Fire Island. She was known for her one of a kind parties and her beautiful costumes for the annual 4th of July Parade.

However, her greatest love was her husband, Fred.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Thursday, December 12, at 10:30am, at St. John Evangelist Church, 348 East 55th St, New York, NY.

Interment will follow at St. Raymond's Cemetery, 2600 Lafayette Ave, Bronx, NY.

Friends may call on Wednesday, December 11 from 4 to 8pm at Frank E. Campbell Funeral Home at 1076 Madison Avenue, New York, NY.

In lieu of flowers, please consider donating to House Ministries – PO Box 358, Port Jefferson, NY 11777.