Bernadette Nielsen died on September 28, 2019. She was 59.
Ms. Nielsen was born April 19, 1960, in the Bronx to William and Maeve Battipaglia. She met her husband, Iner Nielsen, working at IBM in Owego, and they married on October 3, 1987. She later gave birth to two daughters, Julianne, born in 1992, and Laura, born in 1993, whom she referred to as her “two miracles.”
Her pride and joy were her family, survivors said, and her life was filled with love. After leaving IBM to raise her daughters, she later worked at the Maine-Endwell Middle School as an attendance clerk where she brought laughter and life to the main office. Her favorite places included the ocean on Long Island, and New York City. She also loved traveling and was able to explore the country, especially after both of her daughters relocated to the West Coast.
Survivors said she had grit and determination, which is evident in her two New York City Marathon finishes. She was also a devout Catholic, and believed in the good in everyone and had a caring and loving nature, as shown when she’d offer a stranger a ride on a rainy day.
Ms. Nielsen is survived by her parents, Maeve and William Battipaglia; her husband, Iner Nielsen; two daughters, Julianne and Laura Nielsen; three sisters, Anna, Maeve, and MaryEllen; and two brothers, Vincent and Michael.
A funeral Mass will be held Thursday, October 3, at 11 a.m. at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Sag Harbor.
Memorial donations may be made to the Anal Cancer Foundation, analcancerfoundation.org.