Bernardine M. Giese

Bernardine M. “Bernie” Giese, nee Warszalek, 87, longtime resident of Posen, passed away October 25, 2019.  Beloved wife of the late Norbert; loving mother of Susan (Eli) Azana and Laurie (Don) Rago;  cherished grandmother of Anjo (Sheila) Azana, Nicole (Matt) Petty, Douglas (Megan) Wick, Kevin (Sherri) Wick, Kimberly Azana, Michael and Jamie Rago and great grandmother of Aeric and Logan Azana, Denali Reimer, Dominic and Noelle Wick, Lyla Petty and Sophie Wick; dearest sister of the late Edward (the late Margaret) and the late Frank Jr. (Judy) Warszalek and sister in law of Barbara (the late Dennis) Johnson; fond aunt of many nieces and nephews.

Bernie worked as switchboard operator early and later in life, however she most revered motherhood and proved to be an outstanding mother.  Bernie was always an active participant in her daughters’ school and extracurricular activities, serving as a homeroom mom, PTA member and Girl Scout leader.  She took many field trips and tutored other children, helped create amazing fun fairs with her own creative ideas for games and prizes and put on sloppy joe luncheons that are still remembered fondly.  As a scout leader, Bernie was an excellent educator for the girls.  Her leader name was “Ladybug” which means luck and protection.  The nickname suited her perfectly and stuck with her for the remainder of her life along with a host of ladybug decorations throughout her home. She nicknamed herself “JOAT” for jack of all trades and has also been deemed a renaissance woman.  She demonstrated these titles by figuring out and learning to do just about anything on her own. She tiled the foyer, reupholstered chairs, wallpapered, painted and refinished furniture.  Bernie was even an accomplished seamstress, making Halloween costumes every year, many of which have been passed down to her grandchildren and great grandchildren.  She also made bedspreads, curtains and homecoming dresses.  She could knit, crochet, needlepoint, embroider, draw, paint and succeed at any craft. In the 60’s, Bernie belonged to the Ivanhoe Garden Club where she won many awards for her flower arrangements.  

In addition to no task being too much, Bernie was a fantastic cook, she had a beautiful singing voice, could ice skate like a pro, was an excellent bowler once winning a tv for her 264 scratch game, and enjoyed golfing with her husband.  Bernie also loved traveling to Las Vegas with her husband and friends, playing the lottery and scratch off tickets (winning the little lotto in the 90’s).  She was also an avid reader who loved puzzles, math, reading and thinking games and always looked forward to her Sunday crossword puzzles.  Bernie was an amazing poet and regularly came up with little rhyming ditties.  Her daily inspirational writings will be missed by many.

A memorial visitation will be held Friday, Nov. 1st, 2:00 – 8:00 p.m. at Adduci-Zimny Funeral Home, 14522 S. Western Ave., Posen, where a memorial service will be held Saturday, Nov. 2nd at 10:00 a.m.  Inurnment Holy Cross Cemetery to follow.  Info., 708-385-0634 or www.adducizimny.com.

Memorial  contributions may be made to the American Cancer Society, 225 Michigan Ave., # 1200, Chicago, IL 60601 or www.cancer.org.

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