Claire Lois “Perk” Bernardo

Claire Lois “Perk” Bernardo, 82, of DuBois, passed into eternal life on Tuesday, January 26, 2016, at Allegheny General Hospital, Pittsburgh surrounded by her family.

Known as Perk or Perky by all, she was born May 16, 1933 to the late Clair and Isabelle Schoch in DuBois.

She married James E. Bernardo January 3, 1953, in DuBois. They recently celebrated 63 years of marriage. He survives.

Perk graduated from Sandy High School in 1951 and retired from Bell Telephone after 36 years of service.

Perk was a real people person and made friends wherever she went. Her greatest joy was her family, especially her grandchildren, whom she was so very proud of, and her great-grandchildren, always having the latest picture in her purse to show her friends. She loved visiting friends in nursing homes and sending cards for every occasion. She was known for her kind heart and her generous giving.

Perk was a member of the Mount Zion United Methodist Church, the Asbury Sunday School Class, Mount Zion Women to which she was the treasurer for many years, Faithful Builders, Thursday Morning Bible Group, Young at Heart, Schoch Reunion Committee, and The Bell Telephone Pioneers to which she was the organizer of many events, especially the monthly luncheons.

In addition to her husband, Perk is survived by her four children, Lois (Edward) Richards of Curwensville, Lori Swope, Richard (Patricia) Bernardo, and Bob Bernardo, all of DuBois; two sisters, Helen (Peggy) Sinfelt of San Diego, CA and Carole (Donald) Senior of DuBois; her grandchildren, Michael, Carrie, Matthew, Robert, Rhonda, Amy, Stephanie, Nathan, Larissa, Kaylee and Beau; her great-grandchlidren, Parker, Isabella, Claireese, Maya, Lakelyn, Aiden, Kaleb, Noah, and Bentley; as well as numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents and a sister, Jean Pifer.

The family requests memorial donations be made to Mount Zion United Methodist Church, 16 Denton Ave., DuBois, PA 15801.

At the request of Perk Bernardo, there will be no public visitation.

A celebration of Perk’s life will be held at 3:00 p.m. Friday, January 29, 2016, at Mount Zion United Methodist Church, DuBois with the Rev. Kelley Schanely officiating. Interment will be in Morningside Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of Adamson Funeral Chapel, Inc.

To send condolences online, visit adamsonfuneral.com.