Shirley Ann Bernardy

Shirley (Smerber) Bernardy Age 86, passed away peacefully on April 17, 2021 at her home in Corona, CA with family at her side. Shirley was born on February 12, 1935 in Girard, Ohio to Albert and Marie (Bauman) Smerber. Growing up on the family dairy farm in Ohio, Shirley developed a love of animals and music, and had a knack for growing flowers and fruits and vegetables, and these interests continued when the family moved across country to purchase land in Corona, CA and started a small ranch in the El Cerrito area. Shirley then attended St. Francis deSales High School in Riverside, becoming a top-notch student and engaging in school activities. In fact, she was the editor of the school newspaper and the 1953 prom queen. After graduating, she worked briefly for Riverside County in the records department. She then met the love of her life, Timothy Bernardy, in 1955 in Corona, CA, and they married in April of 1957. Shirley and Tim had six children, 25 grandchildren, and 21 great grandchildren. She was a selfless, wonderful matriarch of the family who dearly loved and cherished her children and grandchildren. She and Tim loved their travels throughout the U.S. in their 5th wheel trailer several years ago when still in good health. She continued her love of music and could be seen humming and singing and dancing until her last few days. Shirley and Tim were lifelong, devoted Catholics and were committed to promotion of the traditional Latin Mass in the Riverside area, first at St. Francis Church and then at Guasti in Rancho Cucamonga. Shirley was an enthusiastic choir member and organist at these churches. Later in life they were also supportive, active parishioners at Corpus Christi Church in Corona, CA. Shirley is survived by her brothers Ted Smerber and William “Bud” (Zo Ann) Smerber; children: daughter Tina (Greg) Wuetcher; sons Tim Bernardy, Greg (Carol Okray) Bernardy, Mark (Steffanie) Bernardy, Bruce (Janica) Bernardy, Shaun (Diana Giudice) Bernardy, and all her grandchildren and great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her husband, Louis “Timothy” Bernardy, brother, Jim Smerber; sisters Jeanne (Smerber) Less, Ruth (Smerber) Barton; and parents Albert and Marie H. (Bauman) Smerber. There will be a private Catholic funeral service on June 4th, at Thomas Miller Sierra Memorial Chapel in La Sierra, CA at 12 noon followed by her Catholic burial at the Riverside National Cemetery in Riverside, CA. The family is forever grateful to caregivers Andrew, Mike, Leslie, Gayle, and devoted children Tina and Greg, who were of great help and comfort, particularly this past year. Shirley will be dearly missed. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Alzheimer's Association at www.alz.org or The Association for Frontotemporal Degeneration at https://www.theaftd.org/. Visitation Location Not Available Friday 6/4, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm Service Sierra Memorial Chapel Mortuary 951-687-0551 | Friday 6/4, 12:00 pm Cemetery Riverside National Cemetery 22495 Van Buren Blvd Riverside, CA 92518 Friday 6/4, 2:00 pm