Bernadette Thrall
OGDENSBURG — Funeral services to celebrate the life of Bernadette Bruyere Thrall, 92, of 930 Hasbrouck Street, Ogdensburg, will be held on Monday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral. Concelebrants will be Rev. James Shurtleff and Rev. Terry LaValley. Burial will be immediately following at St. Mary’s Cemetery.
Calling hours will be held on Sunday, November 22, from 2:00 to 6:00 p.m., at Frary Funeral Home.
Mrs. Thrall died on Thursday, November 19, at St. Joseph’s Nursing Home in the loving arms of her family. She is survived by her four children and their families: Linda and Michael Williams, Mexico, NY, Jean and Walter (Skip) Bracy, Ogdensburg, Michael and Mary Ellen Thrall, Ogdensburg, Patrick and Debra Thrall, Brewerton, NY, sixteen grandchildren, and eighteen great-grandchildren. She is also survived by two sisters: Eva Shurtleff, Ogdensburg, and Rosalie and Bill Roberts, South Hampton, NJ; Four brothers: George and Therese Bruyere, Ogdensburg, Joe and Hilda Bruyere, Culver City, Calif., Bob Bruyere and Jack and Irma Bruyere, Ogdensburg, and brother-in-law, Louis Lalonde, Ogdensburg.
She was predeceased by her loving husband of 60 years, M. Harold Thrall, who passed in May of 2002, her brothers Jean (in infancy), James, Emile, and Patrick Bruyere, and Sisters Mary Doe, Alice Jackson, and Theresa Lalonde.
Mrs. Thrall was born December 9, 1916, in Ogdensburg, the daughter of Bella (Gauthier) and Oliver Bruyere. She was also the stepdaughter of Thomas Fortin. She graduated from St. Mary’s Academy in 1934. She married M. Harold Thrall on May 16, 1942 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Columbia, S.C., just prior to Hal’s deployment overseas with the US Army.
Bernadette was always an eager outdoor enthusiast. She was an accomplished equestrienne, and in her youth, could often be seen riding her horse, Babe.
She had a great love of ice skating, and tried out for the speed skating competition at the Winter Olympics in Lake Placid in 1932. She was a hairdresser for family, friends, and neighbors alike, seamstress, fantastic cook, and avid fisherman. But her most cherished accomplishment in life was her role as homemaker and caregiver for her very large circle of family and friends. She was an active communicant of St. Mary’s Cathedral Parish.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to St. Joseph’s Foundation or to a charity of one’s choice.
Online condolences may be sent to www.FraryFuneralHome .com.
