Bernice Rose Raineri née Gann
Bernice Raineri, of St. Louis, Missouri, passed away peacefully, Monday, August 16, 2021 at Friendship Village Skilled Nursing, Sunset Hills with her daughters by her side. Preceded in death by her loving husband of 43 years, Louis A. Raineri. Cherished mother of: Linda (John) Follis; Louis (Anita) Raineri; Peter (June) Raineri; Martin (Bonnie) Raineri; Donna (Dean) Lusardi; Diane (Robert) Kebler; Christopher (Judy) Raineri; Mary Raineri (Peter Licavoli); Regina Raineri; and Dominic (Andrea) Raineri. Loving grandmother of 21, and great grandmother of 22. Adored aunt, great aunt and cousin.
Bernice attended Rosati Kain Catholic High School, but left in her senior year to marry Louis on February 12, 1949. In the early 1970’s, she returned to school and earned her General Education Degree. Bernice was an active member in the John J. Roe School Parent Teacher Association and worked part-time in the St. Louis Benton Branch Library located in the Roe School basement, as well as part-time at Stix Baer & Fuller. She eventually went on to earn her Bachelor of Science in Education degree from Harris Stowe State College in 1979 and her Master ofScience in Counseling from University of Missouri, St Louis in 1986. She worked at Gateway State School for Severely Handicapped Children from 1979 until her retirement in 1993.
During her retirement she enjoyed traveling to Europe, China and South Africa. She was a member of Oak Crest and Four Winds Garden Clubs, where she served in the capacity of President, Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer during her tenure. She served as their committee chair for design shows, children’s designs and the horticultural divisions.
Bernice volunteered at the Missouri Botanical Garden, serving as an instructor from 1994 to 2015 and at St. Louis University Hospital’s Reception Desk and Gift Shop from 1994 to 2014, with a total of over 5300 combined service hours. She also served as President of the St. Louis University Medical School Ladies Auxiliary and served on various committees that raised funds for the medical school and capital campaigns.
Bernice loved her family, gardening, volunteering, and animals. She had a special place in her heart for the Special Olympics and The Society of St. Vincent de Paul. She was truly a very giving and caring person, beloved by all and an asset to her community. She will be fondly remembered and dearly missed by all who were blessed to have known her.
A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, September 18, 2021 at 10 a.m. with visitation at 9 a.m., prior to the mass, at St. Justin Martyr Catholic Church located at 11910 Eddie and Park Rd, St. Louis, MO 63126.
The family requests those who wish to express sympathy to consider making a donation to:
Special Olympics Missouri, 305 Special Olympics Dr., Jefferson City, MO 65101– Attention Brian Neuner
The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, 1310 Papin Street, Saint Louis, MO 63103 or at Donate St. Vincent de Paul
The Family would like to invite you to share photos and memories of Bernice here on her Memorial page. Please submit your photos to AmbrusterChapel@yahoo.com.
To view shared photos, please click on the following link: Photo album
