Margaret Ann "Marge" Bernard, a vibrant spirit and cherished matriarch, peacefully passed away on September 22, 2024, at the age of 93 in Ellenton, Florida. Born in 1931 to Nicholas and Jennie Filippis in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, she was the youngest of eight siblings, each of whom she loved dearly.
In 1951, Marge married her beloved John 'Jack' Bernard, embarking on a life filled with love and family. Together, they raised five wonderful children, infusing their home with warmth, creativity, and laughter. Marge's life in Sault Ste. Marie was a tapestry of nurturing her family and engaging in the community through various retail jobs, reflecting her dedication to family.
Marge was an artist at heart. Over the years, she expressed her creativity through numerous artistic endeavors, bringing beauty into the world with every stroke of her brush, ceramic creation or thread of her needle. Her love for music was legendary; as a spouse of a Sault Tribe elder, she attended countless concerts at the Kewadin casinos, where her joy in melody was only matched by her luck at the penny slots.
Marge embraced change when she moved to Ellenton, Florida, at 87. Leaving behind the cold Michigan winters, she reveled in the vibrant tropical flora of her new home, enthusiastically learning and gaining an appreciation of colorful tropical plants and flowers. Her food journey in Florida was equally adventurous, trying new restaurants and meticulously documenting each delightful dining experience.
Despite the distance from loved ones, technology bridged the gap. At 88, Marge mastered the smartphone and tablet, staying connected with family and friends, her screen often lighting up with messages of love and snippets of her latest bargains or garden finds. Her love for a good deal was as enduring as her love for life itself, often seen driving her golf cart to local stores in search of treasures.
Marge is survived by her children: Nancy Watson (Wyoming, MI), Ron Bernard (Sparta, WI), and Richard Bernard (Palmetto, FL), along with nine grandchildren, fourteen great-grandchildren, and many generations of nieces and nephews, who will carry forward her legacy of love and resilience.
Marge was preceded in death by her sons Patrick and Gary, and her husband Jack in addition to her parents Nicola Filippis and Jennie D'Agostino, and her siblings Caterina Roperti, Antonio Filippis, Marie Stratton, Rose Proffitt, Salvatore Graziani, Paulina Maggetti and Grace Kester, but her spirit continues to inspire all who knew her.
Her heart always had a special place for children and veterans, evident in her lifelong support for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and the disabled veterans of America. In lieu of flowers, Marge requested that donations be made to these organizations, continuing her legacy of giving.
Marge's life was a celebration of love, creativity, and the joy found in every moment. She leaves behind a legacy of warmth, community service, and an indomitable spirit that will be deeply missed but forever remembered.
