Bernadette M. Conger's Obituary
Bernadette Marie Conger passed away peacefully on August 27, 2023, with her loving family by her side. She was born in Cheverly, Maryland, on October 10, 1952, and grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida. She graduated from Cardinal Newman Catholic High School, then attended Palm Beach Community College and Florida Atlantic University, where she earned a degree in Early Elementary Education.
Her name, Bernadette, served as a foreshadowing of who she would become. Bernadette means “strong brave bear,” and she was undoubtedly the strongest and bravest person. She dedicated her life to her children, grandchildren, family, friends, and the countless students she loved unconditionally. Even after being diagnosed with early-onset Parkinson’s Disease at the young age of 35, she continued her daily pursuit of helping others. She taught until she could no longer physically do it. Although she would never admit nor complain, it broke her heart to no longer teach. In total, her teaching career spanned 32 years at Nativity Catholic School, Most Holy Redeemer Catholic School, and Tampa Palms Elementary. She was a loving and caring teacher who used creative and unorthodox ways to teach, realizing above all that her students came first. Her teaching career resulted in lifelong friendships with not only students but entire families. The impact she had on her students is immeasurable.
The only thing she cared about more than her students were her children and grandchildren. She never missed a sporting event, dance recital, or any other opportunity to be her children and grandchildren’s biggest cheerleader. She served as a team mom on almost every team and even served as the President of the local youth football league, all while privately battling Parkinson’s. More recently, despite being told to take it easy and be safe (she did not do well with being told she could not do something), neighbors would report her antics: flying kites from her motorized scooter with her granddaughter, playing catch from her wheelchair with her grandsons, often tipping over, or remodeling parts of her house to serve as a playroom for her grandchildren.
She never judged or valued her life based on possessions; instead, she understood the greater value in helping others, even if that meant going without herself. She would give you the shirt off her back and her last dollar. She was genuine and selfless. In the end, she lived her life the right way, a life worth remembering. She will be remembered as a beacon of love for so many, even though many times that meant tough love. Now that she has beaten Parkinson’s, she will be looking out for all of us, just like she always wanted.
She was preceded in death by her Father, Joseph Edward Carpenter Sr., and Mother, Jean Marie Carpenter. She is survived by her daughter, Angela Severino Crist, & son-in-law Retired Senator Victor D. Crist, son Anthony Joseph Severino & daughter-in-law Meg Bock Severino, and her grandchildren Sophia Victoria Crist, Michael Anthony Severino, and Joseph Thomas "JT" Severino, all of Tampa, Florida. She is also survived by her siblings: Joseph Edward Carpenter Jr., II (Carmen), Fort Lauderdale, FL, Jimmy Carpenter (Bridgette), West Palm Beach, FL, Cathy Marinak (Matt), Stuart, FL.
On Saturday, September 30th, there will be a gathering of family and friends at 12:30 pm with a Catholic Memorial Service at 1:30 pm at Trinity Memorial Gardens Funeral Home Chapel, with interment thereafter in the adjacent Trinity Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 12609 Memorial Dr, Trinity, FL 34655. Immediately following the interment, her family will host a tribute to her life with a reception at Stonewater Grill, 4422 Land O' Lakes Blvd, Land O' Lakes, FL 34639.
If you plan on attending all or some of the service, we kindly ask for you to bring your favorite childhood book for children ages one to twelve years old. These books will be donated to a local school in her memory.
In lieu of flowers, her family asks that you consider donating to the Coalition to Cure Parkinson’s Disease at the University of South Florida. Checks should be made payable to: USF Foundation, Inc. Subject Line: In memory of Bernadette Conger, Florida Coalition to Cure Parkinson's Disease #250028. Mailing Address: USF Parkinson’s Disease & Movement Disorders Center, c/o Erica Botting, 4001 E. Fletcher Avenue, 6TH Floor, Tampa, FL 33613.
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