Mary Patricia Bernard – December 28, 1934 – May 10, 2025
Mary Patricia, “Pat” or “Patsy” Bernard was born in Boston in 1934 to Mary (Cunningham) and Edward Dervan. She grew up in West Roxbury, was a parishioner at St. Theresa of Avila Catholic Church, and graduated in 1952 from St. Thomas Aquinas High School. She worked as a professional secretary and married her sweetheart Philip A. Bernard in 1957. Their happy marriage lasted until his death in 2005.
They lived for many wonderful years in Roslindale, Raynham, Mattapoisett, Fairhaven and Georgetown, SC, and treasured each community and the lifelong friends they made along the way.
Besides her husband Phil, she was predeceased by her parents, and her sister Anne Doherty. She is survived by three dear siblings Jane Dever, Rita Meunier and Eddie Dervan. She leaves her loving children PJ (Becky) Bernard, Janine (Fred) Peccini, Stephen (Angela) Bernard, and Regina (Jim) Sisk, and the six joys of her life who knew her as “Mamie”- her grandchildren Jonathan, Kevin, Annie, Lindsay, Colleen and Molly. She is also survived by throngs of adoring nieces and nephews, many of whom were her special Godchildren.
While Pat didn’t receive a formal education after high school – she was self taught, well read and devoured books focusing on art, culture and history. She worked many years for the Old Rochester Regional School District and loved the kids who swung by her desk – particularly the “rascals”. She was an exceptional gardener, and knew exactly where to throw her egg shells, banana peels and coffee grinds.
Pat loved cheering on the Celtics, the New England Patriots, and had an ultimate devotion to the Boston Red Sox, where she stayed up very late during the summer to watch extra innings when everyone else had long gone to bed. She will be remembered for her laugh, entertaining her friends and family, and playing the piano for gregarious sing-a-longs.
A funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Anthony’s Parish in Mattapoisett on Thursday, June 19, 2025 at 10:00 AM. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Pat’s memory to the Charleston Preservation Society at https://donate.preservationsociety.org/ or simply make a small gesture of kindness, even just by sharing a warm smile.
Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd. (Rt. 6), Mattapoisett. For online guestbook, visit www.saundersdwyer.com.
