Bernice Sailer's Obituary
Bernice E. Sailer passed away peacefully on July 22, 2024, at the age of 100 in Strongsville, Ohio. She was born on February 13, 1924, in Haverhill, Massachusetts, to John and Margaret Mary Harrigan. Her heart found its match in Charles Sailer, to whom she was happily married for 37 years until his passing in 1982. Together, they built a legacy of love and family, a testament to their unbreakable bond.
Bernice's nurturing spirit was further embodied in her children, Joan (James) Thwaite, the late Susan (Leonard) Michaud, and the late Charles Sailer Jr. (Linda Dailey). She was a guiding star for her siblings, Joan Tiffany, Barbara Harrigan, and Judith Harrigan, all of whom predeceased her. Her light shone brightly as a grandmother to Jessica (Behrang) Thwaite, Katharine Thwaite, Sara (Michael) Thwaite, Mayna Sailer, Erica (Chris) Gutshall, Jennifer (Ralph) Maddocks, and Meagan (Rohit) Khandekar, and as a great-grandmother to ten great-grandchildren, each of whom will carry a spark of her enduring spirit.
Bernice's talents in sewing and cooking were not only a source of joy for her family but also gifts that she generously shared with her community. Her volunteer work in her church and within her community was marked by the same care and precision she put into every stitch and recipe. Her hands, always busy in service to others, were a testament to her belief in the power of giving. As the seasons of her life changed, Bernice's commitment to her community never wavered. She volunteered more than eleven thousand hours at Southwest General Hospital, and her impact was felt in the hearts of those she touched. We were lucky to have had her in our lives for so long. We will miss you.
Visitation will be held at St. John Neumann, 16271 Pearl Road in Strongsville, on Saturday, August 3, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. A Memorial Mass will follow at 11 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to a local animal shelter of your choosing.
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