Bernadette M. (Lavin) McNerney

Bernadette McNerney, 53, of Block Island, died on Aug. 31, 2016, after a short bout with a serious illness.  Bernadette was born in Brooklyn, NY, where she resided until she was 25 years old.  She attended Bishop ford High School and was an avid Girl Scout and worked in New York City as an executive secretary for Hitachi Chemical Co. until she married.

Bernadette resided in Connecticut, Tennessee and finally in North Kingstown, R.I. before she moved to Block Island.  In each place shed held various positions in the secretarial field.

Her first trip to Block Island was nearly 30 years ago and she was ready to move here right then and there.  Life’s journeys did not get her back here until nearly 14 years ago, though she visited every chance she got.  She worked for Taubman Law Offices, the Medical Center, the Harbor Church, as well as her company, Hull Propane.

She was a member of the Ladies Auxiliary for many years and the Scout Leader of Troop 30 for quite a period of time, also. Both of these positions she enjoyed and took very seriously.

She enjoyed ice skating, and fishing, driving in snowstorms and Block Island nor-easters.

Bernadette is survived by her husband, Peter; her sons, James and Patrick; sisters, Ann and Rosemary; brothers, Timmy and Tommy; and many nieces and nephews.

Graveside Services will be held at the Block Island Cemetery on Saturday, Sept. 17, 2016 at 1:00 p.m. followed by a reception at the Narragansett Inn.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Block Island Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department or the Ladies Auxiliary, Box 781, Block Island, R.I. 02807.

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