Bernadette J. “Berny” Brandon, 71

Bernadette J. “Berny” Brandon, 71, a life-long resident of Ellwood City, entered the Pearly Gates of Heaven after passing away unexpectedly in Mercy Hospital on Monday, May 27, 2019.

Although, Berny had been courageously battling with aggressive heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and macular degeneration for many years she was really looking forward to her next great adventure of meeting up again with the love of her life, Bob Brandon who passed away in 2012. They were married for nearly 50 years.

Berny was born in Ellwood City on September 18, 1947 to the late Lawrence and Catherine Miller. She graduated from Riverside High School and was in the first team of Majorettes there. She also attended Beaver County Community College and was affiliated with Lillyville Church of God in her younger years. Berny was an amazing mother to be proud of with tremendous class, dedication, responsibility and upstanding morals. She also was selfless as she made many sacrifices while going above and beyond for her entire family. She always took the time to show everyone they were important and she loved them with all her heart. Berny will be remembered as being a loving wife, daughter, mother, grandmother, sister, and best friend. Her favorite past – times were cooking, gardening, organizing, planting flowers and reading books which she strived to read one a day. She loved all animals and enjoyed spending time with her 4 beloved Kitty Kids: Sofie, Precious, Little Bear and Chunk along with her Grand Kitty, Ivy Sue.

Berny is survived by a loving daughter, Melissa, who was also her Caregiver. They had an especially close relationship with cherished and everlasting memories that will live on in Melissa’s heart.

Together they enjoyed doing many things including collecting Kirks Folly and Betsey Johnson fashion jewelry as well as bears and dolls over the years. She also loved the time they spent shopping for bargains at Ross, building puzzles and playing Scrabble. Berny also leaves behind her wonderful son-in-law, Roy Lee of New Castle, P A. She considered him to be more like her son because he was always there when she needed anything after her husband passed away and often took her out to eat. Berny is also survived by 2 sons, Robert (Diane) Brandon and their children as well as Tim Brandon and his children; and her 2 sisters, Cathy (Joe) Pinkle and Donna (Bob) Kettler. She also had 2 close friends: Dawn and Heather Johnston,
who were more like family than friends. They were truly a blessing from God because they not
only helped out to get what she needed, but they also surrounded her with so much love, compassion, respect and peace. She especially enjoyed listening to their beautiful voices as they sang to her. She would call them her “Angels on Earth.” There are also a host of other relatives
and friends who will miss her dearly.

Besides her parents and husband, she was preceded in death by a brother, Joseph Miller in 1960, an aunt, Marlene Shore and a grand-daughter, Kristen Brandon.

Private Funeral Arrangements have been entrusted to the Cunningham Funeral Home in New Castle, PA per her request of last wishes.