Bernadette Nijole Harney April 3, 1936 - June 5, 2021

HARNEY, Bernadette. Lithuanian immigrant dies at 85. Born Nijole Bernadette to Ann and Juozas Ramonaitis in Kaunas, Lithuania on April 3rd, 1936. Bernadette grew up on the beautiful riverside of the small baltic country, enjoying time spent with her grandparents and relatives. She often talked about memories being a mischievous little girl in the quiet countryside up until the occupation of the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany in the late 1930’s. Her parents and family members had to flee their home burying their belongings in their backyard, in hopes to someday return. Nijole remembers the sounds of bombs surrounding her as they fled by foot across Prussia. Together they survived WWII, living in a refugee camp in Germany for seven years before immigrating to the United States in 1949 with the help of Catholic Social Services. Upon arriving in the U.S., they settled at Good Shepherd Convent in Fort Thomas.

Bernadette loved her days spent in the restaurant industry and the relationships she made throughout her career. Though her greatest achievement was her two children. She was a very hard working mother who loved her children and her family. She always made everyone around loved and special, especially her family. Her family and friends will deeply miss her, she was truly an angel on Earth. In her sweet words, “May God be with you.”

Bernadette is survived by her daughter Cynthia (Trey) Jordan of Fort Thomas and her son David Harney Southgate; her sister Violet Lichtenstein of Fort Thomas; 6 grandchildren Holly Angel, Kaitlyn Jordan, Katie Englemon, David Harney Jr, Derek Harney, Devin Harney; eight great-grand children; special nieces Sonya Lichtenstein and Asha Biehn, and many beloved great nieces and nephews.

Visitation will be held Thursday, June 10th, 9:30-10am at St. Thomas Church in Fort Thomas, KY with Catholic Mass following at 10am. Burial will be at St. Stephen Cemetery in Fort Thomas.