Bernadette Agnes (Mineweaser) Bergstrom

Bernadette was a graduate of the Philipsburg State Hospital School of Nursing. She would always talk of her time as a nursing student at Warren State Hospital where she was introduced to one of the young men working there. She had no idea that she would marry the man who made an impression in his all-white outfit with bright red socks. They enjoyed 64 years together and Bernadette missed Marvin greatly when he died in 2022. She still mentioned how, in every picture, he always seemed to be smiling at her.

The epitome of a mother, Bernadette was a source of wisdom and would put her children’s wellbeing first. She was the child whisperer, the one who could rock any child to sleep with the gentlest hugs and the safest arms. She loved her family, and was the proud mother of Jean Grzankowski, David Bergstrom, Linda (Jim Keenly) Bergstrom, Darryl (Nancy) Bergstrom, Annette (Doug) Miller and Pam (Keith) Liccardi. She was a loving grandmother to Jennifer, Michael (Cheryl), Beth, Joe (Caitlyn), Elena, Alesha (Charles), Andrew, Tyler, Cooper, Autumn, Rachel, Faith, Rebecca and Giovanni, great-grandmother to Mary, Michael, Shane, Linda, Claira and Lucas.

In addition to her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, Bernadette is survived by her sisters Anna Merritt and Betty Hicks, her brother Bernard Mineweaser and sisters-in-law Bernadine Mineweaser and Lorraine Bergstrom, as well as many nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her husband and her parents, her in-laws Harry and Ellen Bergstrom, her brothers, sisters, and siblings-in-law, Jane and Dick Fackler, Mern and Jack Sandberg, Rita and Francis Rhoades, Al, Pat and Dolly Mineweaser, Bob and Shirley Mineweaser, Leo and Nancy Mineweaser, Vic Merritt, Jack Hicks, Charlie Mineweaser, Roderick Bergstrom, and Jack and Joan Bergstrom.

As well as serving as the backbone of her family, the quiet strength supporting everyone else, Bernadette worked as a nurse at Warren General Hospital and at the Resource Center in Jamestown.

At home, Bernadette could often be found knitting or crocheting mittens, hats, slippers, afghans or towels. She loved to keep others cozy and donated many mittens over the years. At Christmas, her children and grandchildren would use stockings she crocheted for them, and many grandkids wore a sweater, cuddled with something lovingly made. Jigsaw puzzles with family, complete with a cup of hot tea, filled many afternoons and evenings, as did a challenging crossword puzzle.

She loved and was loved so very much, and she will be missed.

Visitation will be Tuesday, July 23, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lind Funeral Home, 805 W. Third St., Jamestown, NY, and a funeral service will take place there on Wednesday, July 24, at 10 a.m., followed by a private burial. Following services, friends and family are welcome to celebrate her life at the Lander Volunteer Firehall. The Lander Volunteer Fire Department would be grateful for any memorial donations honoring Bernadette.

You may leave words of condolence at www.lind funeralhome.com.