Obituary of Bernice A. Donnelly

Bernice A. Donnelly, of Pembroke, died on Tuesday, April 7, 2015. Born September 11, 1920, daughter of Harold Luckner and Marion Fanton of Stepney, CT. She is predeceased by her sister Letitia Wang, brother, Clinton (Bud) Luckner and daughter Theresa Rockwell. She is survived by her brothers Dermott Luckner of Wallingford, CT and Gary Luckner of Venice, FL. She is also survived by her daughters Elaine Lackey of Duxbury, MA, Karen Donnelly of Arlington, TX, and Marian Norman of Madison, OH. Her surviving sons are James Donnelly, Jr, of Pembroke, Thomas Donnelly of Middleboro, Edward Donnelly of Bridgewater and Raymond Donnelly of Pembroke. Bernice also leaves thirteen grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. After graduating from Bridgeport Hospital School of Nursing, Bernice followed her younger brothers Clinton (Bud) and Derm into the US Navy in 1943. She was stationed in Anapolis MD and served as a flight nurse assigned to the Navy Transport Service returning patients from battle in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. Following her return to civilian life she met and married James Donnelly of Brockton MA while they both attended Columbia University. Together they lived in Charlottesville,VA, West Hartford, CT, Cheshire, CT, West Milford, NJ and Pembroke, MA with their growing family. In the mid 1980's, Bernice was a Grand Marshall in the Pembroke Memorial Day Parade. Bernice worked as a night nurse at the VA Hospital in Brockton during the 1980’s in order to help her children with college funding. She was also active during that time with mothers who were trying to prevent drug abuse among their high school aged children. She attended evening classes at Silver Lake High School and learned to braid colonial rugs and made several which her family continue to cherish. She enjoyed walking in her neighborhood during the time she resided at Edgewater Condominiums in Pembroke and was always happy to see new birds at the feeders in her yard. She also enjoyed concerts at North Pembroke Elementary School and Pembroke High School where her local grandchildren performed. Bernice cared for her husband during the years he suffered with Alzheimers disease. Her children would like to thank all the staff at the Inn at Silver Lake and the Skilled Care Center for their love and care during her residency beginning in November 2008. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to Massachusetts Audubon Society, Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences. Service will be private at a later date.