Obituary of Bernice D Testa

Obituary of Bernice D. Testa April 28, 1918-February 18, 2015 Bernice (Draut) Testa, 96, of Raleigh, NC and formerly of Vineland passed away February 18, 2015. Born in Topeka, Bernice grew up in Kinsley, Kansas. She graduated from Washburn University in Topeka, Ks where she was a member of the Delta Gamma Sorority and president of the house. She played violin in the college orchestra and sang in the chapel choir. After college Bernice taught home economics at Junction City High School in Junction City, KS. She was married to John Puttroff from 1940 until his death in WWII. In 1949 she married Louis P. Testa (Col. United States Army Ret.) of Vineland, N.J and began her years as an Army wife, traveling throughout the United States and Europe, including duty stations in Italy and Greece. They settled in Vineland after Lou’s retirement from the Army in 1970 where they enjoyed their large extended family and made many dear friends. Bernice became an active member of the Red Cross where she served on the board as chairman of volunteers for 23 years. She was an active member for 32 years of St. Isidore's Church where her sewing skills were often called on for the children’s programs. In later years the Testa’s moved to Raleigh, NC to be closer to family and found many new friends there as well. Bernice enjoyed an active social life in Raleigh where she found time for her passion for bridge, day trips and daily “happy hours” filled with laughter and good times. She passed her love of entertaining to a new generation as her grandchildren spent more time with her. Her granddaughters’ fondness for Old Crow bourbon can be directly attributed to their beloved Grandmother as well as her favorite admonition “Remember, your mother was a McGuinness!” A wonderful family reunion planned by her grandson Randy this past October brought the entire family together, a touching tribute to a life well-lived. Bernice will be sorely missed by all of us. She is survived by her three sons, Dean (Karen) of Topeka, KS, Louis (Gwen) and Robert (Rhonda) of Raleigh, NC; grandchildren Randy (Jodi) of Junction City, KS, Russell (Megeen) of Silver Springs, MD, Caroline (Brett) Saltsman (The Woodlands, TX), Samantha Testa (Raleigh, NC) and Diana Testa (Wake Forest, NC); great-grandchildren Tim (Lexi)Testa (Junction City, KS), Erica Testa (Pittsburg, KS), Natalia, Caterina and Anastasia Saltsman; great-greatgrandchildren Anthony and Alexander Testa and Kaisley Daniels. She also leaves behind numerous nieces and nephews who had stayed in touch all these years while researching family genealogy and stories stretching back to the original family sod house. Bernice was predeceased by her husband of 57 years Lou, her brothers Ralph and Robert and sister Cleome Frey and her grandson Ross Michael Testa. Donations in memory of Bernice may be made to The American Red Cross local chapter.