Obituary of Bernadette Sullivan Witzig

Bernadette Sullivan Witzig

March 20, 1921 – February 21, 2024

When they write my obituary, there won't be a long list

of important organizations,

just boo-boos that I've kissed.

And snarls I removed from long golden locks

and Girl Scout cookies sold box by box.

I've been mother to four, and to Warren, a wife;

and I hope that I've given them all a good life.

~ Bernadette Witzig

Bernadette de Lourdes Sullivan Witzig, 102, of State College, PA died Wednesday, February 21, 2024, at Juniper Village.

Born March 20, 1921, in Troy, NY, she was the daughter of the late Edmund McLaughlin and Agatha Hurley Sullivan. She married her sweetheart, Warren Frank Witzig, on March 31, 1942, in Bennington, VT. Warren preceded her in death in 2007. She was devoted to her husband and children.

Mrs. Witzig was valedictorian of the 1939 Class of the Academy of Holy Names, Albany, NY, and attended Albany State Teachers College (now SUNY-Albany) and the University of Pittsburgh.

During World War II, Mrs. Witzig was employed at the Westinghouse Research Laboratory, East Pittsburgh, PA, as a laboratory technician, conducting wire enamel research for the war effort.

She had a love for British mysteries and custom-made jewelry.

Mrs. Witzig was an active community volunteer throughout her life. She was the only volunteer working at the Mountainview Unit of Centre County Hospital (now Mt. Nittany Medical Center) the day it opened and served several years as co-chair of hospital volunteers. She served as docent at the Palmer Museum of Art at Penn State University, worked at Schlow Memorial Library, was a "cookie mother" for the Hemlock Council of the Girl Scouts of America, chaired the book review committee of the University Women's Club, was a circle leader at State College Presbyterian Church, and greeted new residents for the Park Hills Community Association. When a resident of Falls Church, VA, she chaired the Church Women United of Northern Virginia Clothing Bank, filling a need public assistance did not, and was a den mother for the Lake Barcroft Cub Scouts. During the early years of her marriage, she served as a motivational speaker in the South Hills area of greater Pittsburgh, was a circle leader at the Pleasant Hills Presbyterian Church, and chaired the Pleasant Hills Women's Club book review committee.

She is survived by three of her four children: Leah W. Witzig of State College, PA, Marc W. Witzig and his wife, Debbie, of Camp Hill, PA, and Lisa W. Witzig and her husband, Ed Mornston, of Alexandria, VA; six grandchildren, Heather W. Spragins and her husband, Mark, of Lakewood, CO, Sean M. W. Curling and his wife, Shelley, of State College, PA, Christie W. Witzig and her husband, Ryan Bowley, of Washington, D.C., Monica W. Wamsley and her husband, Aaron, of Salida, CO, Mallory K. Witzig of State College, PA, and Alicia S. Davidson of Arlington, VA; and seven great-grandchildren, Madeline, Ava, Miles, Piper, Grant, Makena and Archer.

In addition to her beloved husband, Warren, she was preceded in death by her daughter, Wallis W. Witzig, her son, Eric W. Witzig, and her brother, Edmund Gerard Sullivan.

A private family service will be held at the graveside. Burial will follow in the Graysville Cemetery, Graysville, Huntingdon County, PA.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to: Penn State University (on the memo line enter Blue Band) at Penn State Donor Services, 329 Innovation Boulevard, Suite 210, University Park, PA 16803.