Bernadette M Bracken

Bernadette M. Bracken, 89, of Cedar Knolls, passed away peacefully on November 14, 2023.

Bernadette was born in Dublin, Ireland on May 18, 1934 and emigrated to America in 1958 with her husband, Vincent where they started their life in Irvington, NJ and over the years had three (3) children. It was not easy to leave her home country at age 24 and start a new life in another country with no family.    

Years later, Bernadette was happiest with her grandchildren and being part of their lives was her greatest pride and joy and fulfilled her life.  She was blessed with nieces in Ireland who remained very close to her throughout the years including traveling back and forth to Ireland many times.

Bernadette was a devout Irish Catholic never missing a Sunday mass in 40+ years. Both Bernadette and her husband’s  devout faith in Jesus transitioned to her children when growing up.  Bernadette was a compassionate and most generous person to anyone she knew, even people she just met. She had the “gift of gab” and you could not just say hello.    She lost her husband at age 57 and continued to make the most of her life helping out where needed.  She loved anything Irish and kept the Irish traditions alive. 

Bernadette loved her “cups of Irish tea” and loved playing her Irish music; enjoyed shopping and had an unwavering love for animals, especially her love of dogs.  

Bernadette was the life of the party and loved by her family and friends and will be sadly missed and will forever hold a place in our hearts. 

Devoted mother of Margaret Biunno, her husband Nicholas, Vincent Bracken, his wife Christine, Robert Bracken and his wife Sharon.  Cherished grandmother of Nicole and Nicholas, Michael and Kelsey , Kyleigh and Brianne.  Alsos survived by many nieces and nephews in Ireland and the United States.

Bernadette was pre-deceased by her husband Vincent Bracken, her parents William and Molly Hempenstall, and her siblings Robert, Joseph, John, William and Veronica.

Visitation at the Leonardis Memorial Home, Inc., 210 Ridgedale Avenue, Florham Park on Friday from 4-7pm.  Funeral on Saturday, assembling at the funeral home at 8:45am, followed by the funeral mass at St. Rose of Lima Church in East Hanover at 9:45am.  Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in East Hanover.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bernadette’s memory to:

NJ State Organization of Cystic Fibrosis

P.O. Box 3648

Wayne, NJ  07474-3648

973-595-1232

www.NJSOCF.org                                           

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