Obituary of Bernadine C. Barilla

Bernadine C. "Bernie" Barilla (née Charnitsky) passed away peacefully on Wednesday evening, May 17, 2023, following a long illness.

Born in Kingston, PA, to the late Michael and Albina Charnitsky, Bernadine would later marry John Joseph Barilla, Sr on May 28, 1955, and eventually moved to Madison, NJ where she has resided for the past 63 years.  “Bernie” was a deeply faithful woman who, by example, instilled in her children a sense of faith in God, integrity, humility, and kindness to those who were less fortunate or troubled. 

Prior to her marriage, Bernie worked in the Accounting Department at Pennsylvania Bell.  A “stay at home mom” when her children were young, Bernie contributed to household finances through work as a personal seamstress/laundress and later as a circulation/distribution coordinator for the Morristown Daily Record, dropping bundles of newspapers for delivery workers in the wee hours of the morning before her husband, John, went off to work. Once her children were grown, Bernie re-entered the workplace performing various administrative roles at Orange Savings Bank and Hudson City Savings Bank.  Bernie shared a strong work ethic with her husband, John, and together they achieved their financial goals as a result of Bernie’s astute financial management skills.

Bernie believed in daily devotion to God, weekly housecleaning, and annual beach vacations of no less than two weeks in duration, preferably including her children and grandchildren in all of these events.

In addition to her parents, Bernie was predeceased by her brother and his wife, Joseph and Mary Charnitsky, her son, Michael Barilla, her granddaughter, Christin Barilla, and her great-grandson, Noah Petty.   She is survived by her husband, John J Barilla, Sr, her children: John J. Barilla, Jr (Martha), Susan Seger (Andrew), Robert Barilla, Sr (Susan), and David Barilla, Sr (Tammy).  She is also survived by her grandchildren; Robert Barilla, Jr,  Ashley Petty, Katherine Barilla,  Michael Barilla, David Barilla, Jr, Sara Elizabeth Walborn, Marybeth Barilla, Amanda Molion, and Stephen Seger. Her great-grandchildren; Caleigh, Nathan, Robert III, Elle, David George, Madison, Mason and Emma, and her brother and his wife, Daniel and Patricia Charnitsky.   Bernie is also lovingly remembered by extended members of the Charnitsky and Barilla families.

Bernie’s family is grateful for the dedication and care from the staff at Morristown Post-Acute Facility and from her enthusiastic and loving special caregiver, Shaal “Thomas” Thomas.

Family and friends are welcome to gather on Wednesday, May 24, 2023, from 4-7 pm at Burroughs, Kohr & Dangler Funeral Home, 106 Main St., Madison, NJ  07940.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday, May 25, 2023, at 10:00 am at St. Vincent Martyr Church, 26 Green Village Rd., Madison, NJ.  Interment will follow at St. Vincent Cemetery, Shunpike Rd. & Noe Ave., Madison, NJ.