Bernadette Cormier

Bernadette Norma Cormier of Albuquerque, New Mexico, age 85, passed away early Friday morning, March 1, 2013. Bernadette (Bernie) was born in Toledo, Ohio to Fred and Rozella Harget on August 20, 1927. She was raised in Toledo and attended DeVilbiss High School, where she graduated as class valedictorian in 1945. With two of her best friends, she ventured to Colorado Springs and worked as a legal secretary until 1955, when she met and married her husband of 57 years, Robert (Bob) Cormier, a U.S. Army Infantry Officer. For the next nineteen years, Bob and Bernie raised four sons and three daughters as they traveled from post to post. In 1974, Bernie and Bob retired from Army life and settled the family in Albuquerque, where they have lived ever since. Bernie shared Bob's love for the Army and thrived as an army wife, proving to be the anchor for the family and lead in raising their seven children, especially during Bob's two tours of duty in Vietnam. She was active in her children's activities and enjoyed arts and crafts, especially sewing, quilting, and toll painting. Once her children had grown and left home, she remained active as a volunteer at Anna Kaseman Hospital and in helping raise her grandchildren. Bob and Bernie were both lifelong, devout Catholics, active at Annunciation Parish and the Catholic community's Marriage Enrichment Program. Bernie has now joined Bob, who preceded her in death last summer, her parents, all five of her brothers and sisters, and one infant child. She is survived and beloved by her seven children; three daughters-in-law; eight grandchildren; one great grandson; and many friends of the family. Proverbs 31:26-31 - She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her saying Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. Rosary will be recited for Bernie on Monday, March 11, 2013 at 7:00 pm at French-Wyoming Chapel, 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE. Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday, March 12, 2013 at 8:30 am at Our Lady of the Annunciation Catholic Church, 2621 Vermont St. NE. Burial will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery, 7500 Paseo Del Norte NE (corner of Paseo del Norte and Wyoming Blvd.)