Berni M. (Callahan) Bergstrom Guertin

Manchaug- Bernadette M. “Berni” (Callahan) Bergstrom Guertin, 68, passed away on Sun. Sept. 18, 2022 at Milford Hospital after an illness. She is survived by her loving husband of 18 years, George J. “Bunny” Guertin. 

         She is also survived by her daughter Beth M. Bergstrom of Douglas, 3 grandchildren, Jessie, Faith, and Ethan Bullis; siblings, Marylou Von Euw of Boston, Tom Callahan and his wife Joan of Shrewsbury, as well as nieces, nephews, and many good friends. She was predeceased by her first husband Bruce Bergstrom in 1994; 2 brothers, John Callahan, and Flavian Callahan; her beloved father-in-law, Waldemar  “Wally” Bergstrom, who was like a father to her. 

Born in Natick on January 10, 1954 she was the daughter of the late Elizabeth (Warren) Callahan and was a graduate of Natick high school. She had a great love of nature and earned a masters’degree in urban forestry. Berni worked as an arborist for Bartlett Tree Experts for many years, until she decided to stay home and care for her late husband once he was diagnosed terminally ill. After caring for Bruce, Berni had a passion for caring for others and made a career change working for the VNA. There, she worked 20 years, and was part of starting home hospice team and even helped counselling families before her retirement. She has been a resident of Manchaug the past 19 years and previously lived in Douglas.

Berni was very crafty and enjoyed cake decorating, a hobby which she did for most of her life for every occasion. She was artistic and made all occasion cards and jewelry, which she enjoyed passing out to friends and continued to share with those even during her last year and a half spent at Beaumont Nursing Home. 

A woman of great faith, Berni was a parishioner of many area churches including St. Denis, St. Patrick’s, St. Anne’, and Good Shepherd. She was involved in the Catholic Woman’s council, bereavement committee’s and always volunteered for Fall festivals and other church activities. Helping with the Ham and bean dinners at the former St. Anne’s parish she was comedically known as the “Mean Bean Queen of Manchaug”. She was also an amazing vocalist, and sang in the choir for all the parishes. She and George also enjoyed singing karaoke, and weekly visits to the Elm’s Movie theatre in Millbury, and spending time with her grandchildren, who were the light of her life. She was a loving and caring woman with a great sense of humor, who loved deeply and selflessly. She will be sorely missed.

         Her memorial funeral mass will be held on Mon. Sept. 26th at 11 AM in St. Denis Church, 23 Manchaug St., Douglas. Calling hours will be held on Sun., Sept. 25th from 5-7 PM in Jackman Funeral Home, 7 Mechanic St., Douglas. In lieu of flowers, donations in Berni’s memory may be made to: St. Denis Food Pantry, 23 Manchaug St., Douglas MA 01516. To leave a condolence message for her family, please visit: http://www.Jackmanfuneralhomes.com

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