Irene Rita Bernier, 99, of Bethlehem passed away peacefully on October 9, 2024 with her family by her side. Irene was the wife of the late Arthur Bernier, who passed away in 1983 after 32 loving years of marriage. Irene was born in Portland, Maine on September 8, 1925 daughter of the late Martin Patrick and Bridget Delia (Griffin) Jennings.

She spent her youth in Portland Maine growing up in a traditional Irish family of nine children. She was a dedicated Registered Nurse for many years, working in pediatrics and geriatrics before she retired in 1995. Irene and her family relocated to Bethlehem, PA, in 1969 where they raised their five children.

She will live in the hearts of many, remembered for her quick wit, excellent sense of humor and boundless unconditional love for her family. She reveled in family gatherings – laughing, singing Irish songs, playing games, and embracing that warmth of affection that flows from family. Always mentally keen – she had a sincere interest in the life events of not only her own family, but of everyone she knew and cared for.

She was a faithful member of Notre Dame Catholic Church in Bethlehem.

She is survived by her son John Bernier, daughter Kathy and her husband Pete Sikorsky, daughter Sue and her husband Mario Oliveira, daughter Ann Marie and her husband Barron Curry, and daughter Beth and her husband Chris Blunck; grandchildren Joanne Delorenzo, Lindsey and her husband Ken Buck, Shane Bernier, Devyn Curry and her fiancé Ethan Edwards, Taylor and her husband Ben Foster, Riley Oliveira, Payton Curry, Nicole Blunck, Alex Sikorsky, Cameryn Curry, and Justin Sikorsky; great-grandchildren Quinn Buck, Stella Sikorsky, Memphis Foster, Dax Foster, Fiona Buck, and Rhodes Foster.

Visitation and Funeral Mass: Monday October 21, 2024, visitation 10AM to 11AM followed by the Funeral  Mass at 11AM all at Notre Dame Catholic Church 1861 Catasauqua Road Bethlehem, PA 18017. Burial in Holy
Saviour Cemetery in Bethlehem. Funeral arrangements by the Herron Funeral Home in Bethlehem, PA.  www.Herronfuneralhomes.com

Contributions: In lieu of flowers, the family is suggesting donations in Irene Bernier’s memory to the
Alzheimer’s Association, www.alz.org or organization of your choosing.