Bernadette “Berni” Menezes Former Artesia First Lady and Inspirational community leader

By Randy Economy

Bernadette L. “Berni” Menezes, a well loved and long time Artesia community leader and former “First Lady” of the community has passed away after a long illness, her son Paulo announced this week. She was 67 year old.
Berni, as her friends called, lived what many called the “American Dream.”
Born Jan. 22, 1944 in a small village in Altares located on the island of Terceira-Azores, Portugal she met and fell in love with her future husband Isidro S. Menezes in 1964 and decided to move to the United States and migrated to Artesia.
Like so many other immigrants during this era, Portugal may have been her “Mother Land” but Artesia became their home when they moved here in 1966. Family was always the most important aspect of Berni’s life. In 1971 she gave birth to Paulo I. Menezes, and this was their only child.
She was a hard working woman and keeping busy and productive was never a difficult task. Her son Paulo recalls that she was “an excellent cook, loved gardening and loved my father, her family and grandchildren.”
Longtime Artesia resident Susie Gomes considered Mrs. Menezes to be like her “second mother” and she fondly recalls her positive spirit during her final days. “She was the light of our lives in so many wonderful ways,” Gomes recalled. “I have never met anyone who wanted to live life more than Berni, and her passing will be felt for a long time by everyone who she touched,” remarked Gomes.
“It was a tremendous loss for the people of Artesia. She was full of strength and hope and always optimistic about life,” said Artesia Mayor Victor Manalo. “She taught everyone about Faith in God and how important to live every minute to the fullest.”
Bernadette had struggled with much pain and many medical conditions for the past 29 years. But even with all the pain, she “never complained and never made herself the center of suffering,” Gomes remembers.
Bernadette’s life was celebrated this week with receiving full Roman Catholic burial. A Rosary was held on Wednesday night at Holy Family Catholic Church in Artesia, and Mass was conducted on Thursday morning. She was laid to rest at Our Souls Cemetery in Long Beach.
Bernadette is survived by her husband Isidro, her son Paulo, daughter in law Andrea (DeFreitas), and two grandsons Tiago, and Lucas and sister Maria Sousa.