Bernadette Shea

Bernadette Shea, nearly 101 years old, died peacefully on March 28, 2024 surrounded by her daughters.  She was born on April 30, 1923, to Michael McGinnity and Kathleen (Murphy) McGinnity, and grew up in the Bronx, New York.  She lived a total of 66 years in Wayne, with nearly sixty in the areas of Pines Lake and Manitou.

Bernadette was a woman of faith, family and friends, but really just faith and family, because it didn’t matter if you were blood related or not.  If you were a friend, you were part of her family.  For a woman who told her children, “if you can count your friends on one hand, you’re lucky,” she won the lottery.

A member of St. Mary’s Church in Pompton Lakes for over 70 years, the church was her home away from home as she attended mass daily at 7:30 a.m. It was also the place where she met many of her dearest friends and “extended family members.”  All the priests and deacons meant so much to her, but Father Michael Carnevale and Father John Aherne held a special place in her heart.

One of her most cherished memories was being awarded the St. Francis Medal on her 95th birthday in 2018 in honor of her contribution to the church community.

There was no denying Bernadette was smart. She skipped 2nd grade and was immediately tapped to jump to 4th, but her parents didn’t allow it. She graduated from Cathedral High School for Girls in Manhattan and attended Hunter College, where she majored in German and Chemistry. When she was 17, she went to a New Year’s Eve party at the last minute and met Robert Shea, a senior at Manhattan College. Even though Bernadette said she would have married Bob right after high school, they had to put things on hold due to his Navy deployment and ended up marrying four years later.

They were married for 28 years before Bob’s sudden death left her a widow at 49 with six children; three of whom were still at home.  Ever the warrior, Bernadette went back to school, completed her college degree and secured a job with IBM, retiring when she was 84.  She was such an icon at the company that a limousine brought her to a surprise retirement party, where she was honored with testimonials and gifts, including her favorites, Shalimar perfume and Godiva chocolates.

Bernadette was a great conversationalist and kept up with the latest news, from politics to sports to current events.  She was an ace bridge player, had her own Facebook account, participated in Zoom calls and even taught her eldest daughter how to text.  She loved a party and loved to dance.  When she heard any song with a great beat, whether it was Glenn Miller, Earth, Wind and Fire, or Bruno Mars, she was on the dance floor.

For over a century, she embraced life and lived in gratitude.

Bernadette leaves behind her children, Bonnie (Leon Maes,) Sheila (Bill Ramsay,) Kathy (Phil Carney,) Mary Denise (Nick Verses,) Deborah, and Eileen (Peter Fitzpatrick); grandchildren, Lee Maes, Deborah Charles (Joe,) Sean Ramsay (Heidi Wuttke,) Heather Ramsay Julian (Brett Julian), Jason Verses, (Jackie), Liam Verses, Shea Fitzpatrick (Matt Elander), Murphy Fitzpatrick, and Kelly Fitzpatrick; and great-grandchildren, Ani Kathleen Charles and Thomas Charles; as well as two sisters, Therese McConville and Regina Holland, and many nieces, nephews, and great-nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her sister Maureen Smyth and brother Dennis McGinnity.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to St. Mary’s Church   There was no place on earth that was more special to her.