Bertie Remkus Pardue of Sag Harbor Dies September 28

Bertha Carolyn Maria Remkus Pardue, known to everyone as Bertie, entered into eternal life on September 28th, 2022. Lately of Wilkesboro, NC, Bertie grew up in Sag Harbor, her father’s place of birth.

Bertie was born at Womack Army Medical Center at Fort Bragg on July 20th, 1948, to Anthony Joseph (“Tony”) Remkus and Ruby Pearl Starling Remkus. Bertie was always proud of her father’s Army service; her family lived where Tony was stationed, first at Fort Bragg and later in Colonial Heights, VA, until his retirement from the Army in 1959, when Tony returned to his beloved Sag Harbor with Ruby and their children.

Tony and Ruby then owned and operated the “Seaside” restaurant for nearly twenty years. Many of Bertie’s fondest memories revolved around her work as a hostess, server, and bartender at the Seaside. Sag Harbor locals will remember the restaurant, the family, and Bertie fondly, as the Seaside was a frequent focal point for celebrations in the milestones of local families’ lives. Bertie would often reminisce about the joy of hosting special events at the restaurant, especially in the off-season, when parties given for Sag Harbor natives and local organizations would feel like one big family affair. She also loved recounting stories of participating in early Whaler’s Day festivals and parades, and of John Steinbeck’s friendship with her parents.

Bertie attended junior high school at the Academy of the Sacred Heart of Mary in Sag Harbor, and then attended high school at Pierson, graduating in 1966. She was a proud captain of the girls’ basketball team; an honor student; and was always quick to mention that she was the first student to campaign to remove the requirement to dissect frogs in science class. Bertie moved to Washington, DC, after graduation, joining the fingerprint analysis lab at the FBI. Later, she moved to North Carolina, where she met and married her husband, and had her daughter.

Bertie continued to visit her family in Sag Harbor often, and was always proud of her family’s contributions to the history of the village. When visiting, she could be found at game nights and cookouts on Glover Street, or walking the beaches, or eating ice cream on Long Wharf, or watching the sunrise at Montauk. One particularly fond memory was attending the Pierson Centennial commemoration in 2007, where she danced the night away with old and new friends.

Bertie was a dedicated caregiver and advocate for her parents; a second mother to her brothers; and truly never met a stranger.

She is preceded in death by her parents; by an infant sister, Mary Ann Remkus; and by her aunts and uncles.

Left to honor her memory and celebrate her life are her husband, Danny Lee Pardue, of the home; her daughter Danielle Starling Remkus Pardue and son-in-law Jonah Nathan Bamel, of North Wilkesboro, NC; her brothers: Joseph Anthony Remkus (Lenore) of Auburndale, FL; Michael Anthony Remkus (Phyllis) of Concord, NC; and Ronald Xavier Remkus of Elizabeth City, NC; her nieces and nephews: Lauren Remkus (Andreas) of Copenhagen, Denmark; Audrey Benson (Michael) of Concord, NC; Christopher Remkus of Boston, MA; and Ryan Remkus (Juanne) of Charlotte, NC; her two great-nieces, Olivia and Abigail Benson; and her many Remkus cousins in Sag Harbor and beyond.

A memorial service will be held on Saturday, October 22nd, 2022, at 3:00pm at Reins-Sturdivant Funeral Home in North Wilkesboro, NC. The family will receive friends from 1:00pm to 3:00pm prior to the service. Inurnment will follow the service at Scenic Memorial Gardens in Wilkesboro, NC. In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her memory to Triage Cancer: 6348 North Milwaukee Ave. #136, Chicago, IL 60646, or at triagecancer.org.

A mass intention for the repose of her soul will be said on Sunday, January 15th, 2023, at 10:45am at St. Andrew Roman Catholic Church in Sag Harbor, where Bertie was christened, and had been a longtime member.