Catherine "Kay" Bernet


Bernet, Catherine obit photo.jpg

Catherine "Kay" Bernet
July 11, 1922
July 13, 2017


Catherine "Kay" Bernet (Suppicich) passed peacefully on July 13, 2017 at Pine Point Center in Scarborough, Maine.  She was born in Wethersfield, CT on July 11, 1922 to Vincent and Matija Suppicich.

Kay was raised and educated in Wethersfield, CT. and graduated from Wethersfield High School in 1941.  She married Louis R. Bernet (Bernetich) in April, 1944 and moved to Bergen County, NJ.

Kay worked in a number of corporate offices in New Jersey and mid-town Manhattan, and was particularly proud to have been an administrative assistant for Mr. Robert B. Anderson, a former Secretary of the Treasury. Her passion for 10 pin bowling flourished in the office bowling leagues in Manhattan.  She carried this life-long hobby to all 48 states, becoming a successful amateur in many leagues and tournaments.  Playing this sport into her 80's, Kay stopped her bowling only to find great fun and friends at Bingo tables wherever she lived.

Kay and Lou retired in 1976 and traveled the U.S. in a motor home to discover wonderful Albuquerque, New Mexico, where they lived until Lou passed in March, 1994. They also traveled throughout Europe, and to Croatia, where they discovered her family's roots, villages and relatives.

Upon Lou's death, Kay moved to California, living in both San Marcos and Escondido. In 2012, she moved to Portland, Maine to live closer to her family.  She resided at Deering Pavilion and lived independently until she became ill in February, 2017. Kay was a life-long communicant of the Roman Catholic Church.  A Memorial Mass was said for her in the chapel within her residence on August 15.

Kay was predeceased by:  her parents, Vincent and Matija; husband, Lou; daughter, Nancy Bourdon (Don, Woodstock, VT.); brothers, Steve, Pete, Carl, Joe, John; and sisters, Ann, Mary, Betty, and Dotty. She is survived by:  her daughter, Phyllis Hayes and her husband Daniel of Cumberland Foreside, Maine; son, Larry Bernetich and his wife Nikki of Brookfield WI. She was blessed with 8 grandchildren, Stephanie, Stacey, Samantha, Amy, Andrew, Becky, Sarah, and Angelica, as well as, 14 great-grandchildren, Rudy, Sage, Lilly, Cyrus, Morgan, Mac, Finn, Cassie, Ella, Owen, Brooklyn, Lennon, Reid, Kuzey. She is also survived by her nephews, Vincent Suppicich, Robert Suppicich, Jerry Suppicich, Bill Casey, Michael Suppicich, Dick Sopelsa, and Arthur Sopelsa, and nieces, Catherine Conway, Diane Ohanian, Sheila Suppicich, Barbara Sopelsa Gazza and several grand-nieces and grand-nephews.

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 30, 2017 at Corpus Christy Church, Wethersfield, CT with interment to follow at Rose Hill Cemetery in Rocky Hill, CT.  A luncheon will be held at 1:00 PM at Elaine’s Restaurant, 1841 Berlin Turnpike, Wethersfield, CT 06109.

Cards and condolences can be sent to Phyllis B. Hayes (14 Pine Ridge Rd., Cumberland Foreside, Maine 04110).


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