CUMBERLAND FORESIDE — Jeanne Bernardy, 91, passed away Monday, Aug. 20, at her residence. She was born in Cambridge, Mass., on Nov. 11, 1926, a daughter of Paul Harmon and Jeannette Dunbar (Moody) Spiers. With no given middle name at birth, she chose the family name of Templeton and became Jeanne Templeton Spiers.
She resided in Cambridge and attended MacDuffie Boarding School. She obtained her design degree at Chamberlin School of Fashion and Design. From there, she moved to New York City and Washington D.C., where she met her future husband, John Edward Bernardy, known by family and friends as Jack. They married in 1952, and were married an astounding 56 years.
After their marriage, they moved to Pittsburgh and started a family. His advertising firm transferred them to Los Angeles in 1972. Upon retirement, they moved to Sedona, Ariz. Eventually they returned to Jeanne’s roots in New England, moving to Cumberland Foreside. Jack passed away in 2006, and Jeanne remained in her beloved house until her death.
Jeanne pursued a career in interior design. She was known for her creativity. Her favorite mediums were fiber arts, quilting, knitting and needlepoint. She branched out into soap making and created jewelry. Throughout her life, she was an avid reader of historic novels.
Jeanne enjoyed volunteering for different organizations that worked with unwed mothers, the elderly and food banks.
Jeanne is survived by her sister, Jackie Wilson; daughter, Lynn Bernardy; son, Scott Bernardy; grandchildren Jennifer Rush, Dana Waller, Paul Hilborn, Alex Bernardy and Leigh Bernardy; great-grandchildren Gavin Rush, Austin Rush and Hannah Waller; and treasured caregivers.
Please visit www.lindquistfuneralhome.com to sign Jeanne’s online guest book.
Jeanne Bernardy
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