Bernadette Power Barnhurst (Bernie) loving wife, mother, grandmother, and great grandmother
died quietly at Sunrise Assisted Living, Severna Park, Maryland, on May 24, 2026, with her
youngest daughter, Bernadette, at her side. She was 96.
Bernie was the second daughter of the late Arthur C. Power and Elizabeth M. (Slayne) Power.
She was predeceased by her three sisters, Regina (Leyden), Frances “Frankie” (Healy), and
Betty Ann (Schwarz). She was raised in Brooklyn, NY and graduated from St. Saviour High
School (1947). Bernie earned a B.S. cum laude from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia
(1951), and did graduate studies in chemistry at Fordham University, Bronx, NY. While at
Fordham, Bernie met Bill Barnhurst. They were married in 1954.
In addition to raising their five children, Bernie remained active in civic, political, and social causes. She was a poll worker, and was involved in the local Democratic party. She supported many causes and organizations that promoted peace, social justice and the welfare of children. She gave her time freely as a volunteer at church and in the community to live out her faith.
Bernie became a student of Irish Culture and took several trips to Ireland, including working trips to Habitat for Humanity sites in Belfast, Northern Ireland with members of the Villanova University community. She was an ardent fan of Villanova basketball and held season tickets for many years. At home, she enjoyed gardening. Bernie had a green thumb and could make any plant thrive. She was a member of St. John Chrysostom parish for 66 years, where she was involved in CCD and the Family Program for Religious Education. In the 1990’s she served as a delegate to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development in the Philadelphia Archdiocese.
Bernie was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, William J. Barnhurst (Bill) (2020) and her grandson, LCpl Eric W. Herzberg, who was killed in action in Al Anbar province, Iraq in 2006. Bernie will be remembered with love and gratitude by her five children (Marie Barnhurst Robinson (Steve), Peggy Goodfellow (Pat), Regina Barnhurst, Douglas Barnhurst, and Bernadette Martin (Jack), 14 grandchildren (Allison and Erin Barnhurst; Patrick, Colin, Liam, Tiernan, Evan, and Mairead Goodfellow; Matthew Herzberg and Katie H. Miller; Brendan and Mary Martin; Christopher and Peirce Robinson) and 2 great granddaughters (Cali and Summer Miller)).
Relatives and friends are invited to her Funeral Mass on Friday June 5, 2026 at 11AM at St. John Chrysostom Church 617 S. Providence Rd. Wallingford. Visitation will be held prior from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at Carr Funeral Home 935. S. Providence Rd. Wallingford. Interment is at 2pm at West Laurel Hill Cemetery 321 Belmont Ave., Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Chestnut Hill College Griffin Fund will be appreciated by Bernadette’s family. https://www.chc.edu/give/ways-to-give/
died quietly at Sunrise Assisted Living, Severna Park, Maryland, on May 24, 2026, with her
youngest daughter, Bernadette, at her side. She was 96.
Bernie was the second daughter of the late Arthur C. Power and Elizabeth M. (Slayne) Power.
She was predeceased by her three sisters, Regina (Leyden), Frances “Frankie” (Healy), and
Betty Ann (Schwarz). She was raised in Brooklyn, NY and graduated from St. Saviour High
School (1947). Bernie earned a B.S. cum laude from Chestnut Hill College in Philadelphia
(1951), and did graduate studies in chemistry at Fordham University, Bronx, NY. While at
Fordham, Bernie met Bill Barnhurst. They were married in 1954.
In addition to raising their five children, Bernie remained active in civic, political, and social causes. She was a poll worker, and was involved in the local Democratic party. She supported many causes and organizations that promoted peace, social justice and the welfare of children. She gave her time freely as a volunteer at church and in the community to live out her faith.
Bernie became a student of Irish Culture and took several trips to Ireland, including working trips to Habitat for Humanity sites in Belfast, Northern Ireland with members of the Villanova University community. She was an ardent fan of Villanova basketball and held season tickets for many years. At home, she enjoyed gardening. Bernie had a green thumb and could make any plant thrive. She was a member of St. John Chrysostom parish for 66 years, where she was involved in CCD and the Family Program for Religious Education. In the 1990’s she served as a delegate to the Catholic Campaign for Human Development in the Philadelphia Archdiocese.
Bernie was preceded in death by her husband of 66 years, William J. Barnhurst (Bill) (2020) and her grandson, LCpl Eric W. Herzberg, who was killed in action in Al Anbar province, Iraq in 2006. Bernie will be remembered with love and gratitude by her five children (Marie Barnhurst Robinson (Steve), Peggy Goodfellow (Pat), Regina Barnhurst, Douglas Barnhurst, and Bernadette Martin (Jack), 14 grandchildren (Allison and Erin Barnhurst; Patrick, Colin, Liam, Tiernan, Evan, and Mairead Goodfellow; Matthew Herzberg and Katie H. Miller; Brendan and Mary Martin; Christopher and Peirce Robinson) and 2 great granddaughters (Cali and Summer Miller)).
Relatives and friends are invited to her Funeral Mass on Friday June 5, 2026 at 11AM at St. John Chrysostom Church 617 S. Providence Rd. Wallingford. Visitation will be held prior from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at Carr Funeral Home 935. S. Providence Rd. Wallingford. Interment is at 2pm at West Laurel Hill Cemetery 321 Belmont Ave., Bala Cynwyd, PA 19004.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to Chestnut Hill College Griffin Fund will be appreciated by Bernadette’s family. https://www.chc.edu/give/ways-to-give/