Bernadette Marie Gemmell

09/20/2005

Bernadette Marie Gemmell, 71, of County Street died yesterday at the Crescent Manor Care Center. Born in Bennington on September 16, 1934, daughter of Jules and Ida Croteau Marcoux, she received her education in Bennington and attended Mount Saint Mary's in Burlington. Bernadette graduated from nursing school in Pittsfield where she received her LPN. Mrs. Gemmell was employed at Crescent Manor Nursing Home, Putnam Memorial Hospital and Sourdiffes Nursing Home. For many years she owned and operated Bernie's Catering. She was a member of the VFW Post 1332 Auxiliary, where she worked as a cook, and the Manchester Eagles Auxiliary. She was a former member of the American Legion Post 13 and the Bennington Moose Club. In her younger years, she was an avid roller skater, winning several competitions. She planned bus trips for senior citizens, enjoyed playing Bingo and was active on CB radio, where her handle was "Big Bird." She and her husband, Kenneth A. Gemmell, were married May 24, 1968 in Bennington. Besides her husband, she leaves three daughters, Gloria A. Beraldi of Dalton, Mass., Kathleen M. Hanson of Oakville, Conn., Pauline V. Garofano of Dallas, Georgia; two sons, William H. Volkmer III of Bennington and Charles W. Forrest III of Hoosick Falls, N.Y.; sixteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren. FUNERAL NOTICE -- The funeral for Bernadette M. Gemmell will be held from the MAHAR AND SON FUNERAL HOME Friday at 9:30 a.m., and then from Sacred Heart Saint Francis de Sales Church at 10:00 a.m., where the Liturgy of Christian Death and Burial will be offered. The burial will take place in the family lot in Park Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call at the Mahar and Son Funeral Home Thursday, from 4 to 7 p.m., when the family will be in attendance. The Wake Service will be offered at 6 p.m. Mrs. Gemmell leaves three sons-in-law, James Beraldi, Richard Hanson and Gary Garofano; two daughters-in-law, Starr Volkmer and Kimberly Forrest; and a nephew. She was predeceased by a sister, Rita Lockwood. If friends desire, contributions in memory of Bernadette Marie Gemmell may be made to the Vermont Heart Fund through the office of the Mahar and Son Funeral Home, 628 Main St., Bennington, VT 05201.

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