Rita A. Bernard

Rita A. Bernard, 79, of Bedford, NH died at her home on May 29, 2000. Mrs. Bernard was born in Holyoke, Ma., on January 10, 1921, the daughter of the late Arthur and Alice (Leclerc) Desharnais and had been a resident of Nashua for 50 years and made her home in Bedford for the past three years. She was a graduate of of Wilfred Academy in Boston. Mrs. Bernard was owner and operator of Bernard's Beauty Salon in Nashua where she was well known for her expertise in hair styling. She was an avid reader and gardener and was a devoted mother and grandmother. She was the widow of Larry R. Bernard who died in 1984 after 42 years of marriage. Family members include her son, Richard A. Bernard of Port Orange, Florida, her two daughters, Mrs. Normand (Pauline) Longval of Bedford, NH and Mrs. James (Irene) Silk of Nashua, five grandchildren, Mrs. Michelle Wheeler of Amherst, NH, Stephen Michaud of Hudson, NH, Tim Coleman, Christopher Bernard and Jeffrey Coleman, all of Nashua, a great granddaughter Shelby Lyn Wheeler of Amherst, NH, an expected great grandson, John Owen Michaud, her sister, Mrs. Lorraine Beaupre of Wilmington, Ma., her predeceased brother, Arthur Desharnais. SERVICES: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Monday morning, June 5 at 10 o'clock in St. Elizabeth Seton Church. Burial will follow in the family lot in St. Louis Cemetery, Nashua. The family respectfully requests in lieu of flowers that donations be made towards Masses or to the Souhegan Home Health and Hospice Care, 24 N. River Road, Milford, NH 03055. The Phaneuf Funeral Homes Bedford Arrangement Center, Bedford is in charge of arrangements.