HELEN SCHUSTER BERNARD

Helen Schuster Bernard, 95, died peacefully at home on Sunday, March 31, 2024. She was born on February 24, 1929, in Perrysburg, in the Community Hospital. She was the first baby girl born at the hospital and was known around town as “Little Miss Community.” Helen was the daughter of Edmund E. and Alice (Dibling) Schuster. She attended St. Rose Elementary and was a graduate of St. Ursula Academy.

She was a lifelong resident of Perrysburg until 1971, when a job opportunity presented itself to her husband, Pete. Off they went to Glens Falls, New York. She worked part time at Troy Savings Bank as a customer service rep and made longlasting friends. Helen volunteered with Meals on Wheels and at Glens Falls Hospital. She enjoyed playing bridge with friends, cross country skiing, tennis and could tickle those ivories with the best of them. Music from the 40’s was a passion of Helen’s. “There! I’ve Said It Again,” by Vaughn Monroe, was her favorite song. She and Pete considered it their song.

The gathering of family in Glens Falls, whether poolside in the summer or snowed in at Christmas, was total chaos but fun. Oh. Those Christmas decorations were second to none. Proof of this could be seen in her basement. Her children referred to it as ”The Christmas Store.”

When Pete retired in 1994, they made the decision to “go back home.” She and her lifelong friends, Peggy and Rose, picked up right where they left off. What fun they all had. Pete and Helen looked forward to their relaxing winter trips to Florida and their family beach vacations to the Outer Banks.

Helen was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Pete, the love of her life for more than 60 years; her sisters, Mary Heilman and Margaret Schuster; daughter-in-law, Debra Matte Bernard, and son-in-law, Pete Schaf.

Surviving are her children, Debbe (Tom) Becker, Betsy Schaf, Brad Bernard, Peter Bernard; sister, Susan E. Mikolajczyk; grandchildren, Carolyn (Chris) Triplett, Katie (Dan) Calhoun, Ann (Rob) Walter, Margaret Bernard, Ellen (Jon) Main, Mary (Ken) Holmes and Bradley (Rosa) Bernard Jr. They will miss their Meemo forever. She also is survived by great-grandchildren, Andrew (Leanne) Triplett, Will Triplett, Michael Triplett, Lily Calhoun, Jane Calhoun, Jack Calhoun, John Walter, Charlie Walter, Alice Walter, JP Main, Camden Main, Kellen Holmes, Avery Holmes, Ella Holmes, and many nieces and nephews.

Services will be held Saturday, April 13, at 10:30 a.m., at St. Rose Catholic Church, 215 East Front Street, Perrysburg, followed by private burial. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital or Hospice of NW Ohio. Online condolences can be shared at walker funeralhomes.com.