Jane Elizabeth Bernard

BERNARD, Jane Elizabeth, was born on November 5, 1957 and passed away suddenly on July 6, 2013 from acute leukemia. She was the beloved daughter of Richard L. Bernard and the late Nancy Maxwell Gaines Bernard. She grew up in Washington DC, was a graduate of the University of Cincinnati, and worked in the lighting division of General Electric in Cincinnati, Indianapolis, and Richmond, VA, before returning to Cincinnati after her retirement. She also leaves behind her dearest sister Ann Maris Bernard, niece Elizabeth Steele Walda (née Cook) and nephew Forrest Dean Cook, along with countless friends. Jane was the 2009 recipient of the MS Society Woman of Courage Award for demonstrating dignity, grace, strength, compassion and creativity in her everyday life. “She was the bravest person I know,” recounts her sister A. Maris Bernard, “and truly enjoyed life to the fullest.” She was a member of Delta Delta Delta as well as the Junior League of Cincinnati, where she participated in the Choral Group. She was an avid genealogist and a member of the Cincinnati Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, National Society of the American Colonists, Colonial Dames 17th Century, First Families of Ohio, the National Society of the Daughters of 1812, and the General Society of Mayflower Descendants. “Jane’s joy and tenacity brought light and love into the lives of all who knew her,” say her niece Elizabeth and nephew Forrest. “She loved attending the meetings of all the societies to which she belonged, availing herself of every opportunity to wear a hat.” She was a devoted season subscriber to the Cincinnati Opera, and purchased two tickets so that she could always take a friend. In lieu of flowers, and in keeping with her license plate, GIV2MS, Jane asked that donations be made to the National MS Society via nationalmssociety.org (or P.O. Box 4527, New York, NY 10163) or to the Cincinnati Opera, 1243 Elm Street, Cincinnati Ohio 45202. Visitation will be held at Hodapp Funeral Home, 6041 Hamilton Avenue, College Hill, Friday, July 26 from 5-8 pm. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, July 27, 2013 at the Ascension and Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, 334 Burns Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45215 at 1 pm. Hats and purple attire are encouraged.