Annabelle Spencer Bernardi

Annabelle Spencer Bernardi, 87, of Gulfport died Monday, February 13, 2006 in Batavia, Illinois. Annabelle the "first born" daughter of James Wallace Spencer and Lucia Mae Tilton September 9, 1918 in Pendleton, Oregon. Her early years were spent on a wheat ranch near Lostine, Oregon where she attended grade school. Her father studied to become a pilot on the Columbia River and relocated his family to LaGrande, Oregon, where she graduated from high school in 1936. Anne moved to Salem, Oregon, where she and Vic Bernardi met and were married on July 13, 1940, in Tacoma, Washington. After WWII they moved to Norman, Oklahoma and Vic graduated from Oklahoma University with a B.S. degree. He was employed by International Harvester, retiring 30 years later, after building a plant on the Harrison County Seaway. On July 13, 2005 they celebrated their 65th Anniversary. Anne was an expert seamstress, knitter, and quilter. She was also a lover of animals especially horses and became an experienced equestrian with her own thoroughbred show horse, "Precious". Anne was active in the BPOE 978 Ladies Auxillary for several years. Late in life she developed demetia which resulted in her death. Anne was preceded in death by two sisters, Edith Joyce Spencer and Gloria Gay Spencer. Survivors include her husband, Vic Bernardi of Gulfport; a son, Tony Bernardi of Batavia; three sisters, Esther Elaine Akes, Roberta Jean Boyce, and Mae Louise Spencer, and one brother Frank Edward Spencer; two grandchildren, Michael and Jamie and one great-grandchild. The memorial service will be on Wednesday evening, March 1, 2006 at 7:00 P.M. in the chapel of Bradford-O'Keefe Funeral Home, O'Neal Road, Gulfport, where friends may visit one hour before service.