Edna Margaret Herbert DeBernard

Edna Margaret Herbert DeBernard, born July 10, 1918, and recently celebrating her 93rd birthday, passed away peacefully Wednesday, July 20, 2011, in Palm City, Fla.
Edna met the love of her life, Lewis Michael DeBernard, at the young age of 16, while attending high school and working at Vallentines bookstore in Washington, D.C. They courted and dated in 1934, and were married in May 1941. Both were native Washingtonians.  
Edna and Lew went to work for Potomac Electrical Power Company prior to World War II. For many years they resided in Arlington, Va., where they raised a family and ran an electrical, heating and air-conditioning contracting business. They retired to Palm City in 1983, residing at Martin Downs. 
Their loving relationship spanned some 77 years. In May of this year, Edna and Lew celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary with family and friends at Hutchinson Island.
Edna loved her family and friends. She loved to sing and was always active in the Lutheran Church in Virginia and Florida. They were founding members of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Palm City, where Edna will be laid to rest at a service to be held at 11 a.m. Monday, July 25.
Edna is survived by her husband, Lew; daughter, Cynthia Jean DeBernard Santoro and husband, Ronald, of Portland, Ore.; son, Lewis Michael “Mickey” DeBernard Jr. and wife, Marjorie, of Pinehurst; grandchildren, Christopher Jordan Simmons, Rebecca Marie DeBernard Martin, Rachel Claire DeBernard Daniel and Robert Michael DeBernard; and great-grandchildren, Hannah Claire Martin, Baden Anthony Martin and Alexander Jordan Simmons. She was predeceased by her brothers, Edgar Herbert and Henry “Bud” Herbert; and sisters, Kathryn “Kay” Libert and Ruth Fascnacht.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Immanuel Lutheran Church of Palm City’s Youth Group, attn. Pastor Tom Hartley, Immanuel Lutheran Church; 2655 SW Immanuel Drive, Palm City, FL 34990.