RIP  May 8, 2017

 Bernardine M. Stahura, 84, died Monday, May 8, 2017, at Nazareth Memory Center, Danville, where she had been a resident for five years. Before requiring nursing care for dementia, she had lived at Maria Joseph Manor, an assisted living facility.

Born in Hazleton, Bernie received the sacraments of initation at St. Joseph Church. Her elementary school education was at St. Joseph School and she graduated from St. Cyril Academy in Danville. She earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in education from Marywood University and continued her studies to become a certified reading specialist.

As a member of the Sisters of Ss. Cyril and Methodius until 1974, known as Sister Jovita, she taught in elementary schools in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, New York and South Carolina.

Bernie taught briefly in the Wilkes-Barre Area School District and was employed for several years by Wilkes-Barre General Hospital as supervisor of environmental sciences. In 1985 she relocated to Charleston, S.C., where she resumed her career in education. She spent 13 years teaching disadvantaged middle school students at E.L. Frierson School on Wadmalaw Island.

As an active member of Blessed Sacrament and St. Joseph parishes in Charleston, she served as coordinator of lectors, was an extraordinary minister of Holy Communion and sang in the choir. She taught religious education, preparing many children for the Sacraments of Reconciliation and First Eucharist. She was also a volunteer at the city of Charleston Crisis Ministry.

Bernie's interests included sports, particularly basketball and baseball. She enjoyed bowling, playing pinochle and Scrabble with friends, reading, watching movies and traveling.

She was predeceased by her brothers, John M., Cyril and Leonard; a sister, Agnes McCauley; and nephews, Edward, Charles and James McCauley.

She is survived by her brothers, Martin, Pittsburgh; and the Rev. Joseph Stahura, a priest of the Diocese of Harrisburg; nieces, Joanne and Margaret Mary Stahura, who assisted with her care; nephews, John J. Stahura and John and Thomas McCauley; nieces, Patricia Kushmerick, Kathy Heckler, Agnes Rieger, Rosemarie McCauley, Linda Paroskie, Diane Krushinski, Judy DeArmas and Wendy Delales; a sister-in-law, Theresa Barber; and several cousins. Bernie is also survived by her close friend and caregiver, Sister Mary Magdalene Sladicka, C.H., with whom she shared many life experiences, and members of the Sladicka family.

Her funeral will be held at 11:30 a.m. Thursday from Frank J. Bonin Funeral Home Inc., 542 N. Wyoming St., Hazleton. Family and friends may pay their respects from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the funeral home.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be concelebrated by the Rev. Joseph L. Stahura and the Rev. Phillip J. Sladicka at noon in Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish at the Church of St. Joseph, Sixth and Laurel streets, Hazleton.

Interment will take place at a later date in St. Joseph Cemetery.

Donations in Bernie's memory would be appreciated by the Sisters of Ss. Cyril and Methodius, Villa Sacred Heart, 580 Railroad St., Danville, PA 17821.