Obituary of Bernadette Hoffmann

Bernadette M. “Bernie” Hoffmann of Somers, N.Y., and formerly of South Salem, died peacefully Saturday, Feb. 28, 2026, at Northern Westchester Hospital.

Bernie was born June 11, 1943, in Queens, New York, the middle of three daughters of Henry and Theodora Poppe. She graduated from Bishop McDonnell Memorial High School and St. Vincent’s Hospital School of Nursing, becoming a registered nurse, a career she most enjoyed in the maternity ward at Long Island Jewish Medical Center.

A faithful servant of Christ and devoted parishioner of St. Joseph’s Church in Somers and St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Katonah, Bernie was a member of the Legion of Mary and was passionate about the right to life, taking part in many Respect Life marches in Washington, D.C.

Bernie met the love of her life, Richard Hoffmann, as a young teenager when they were part of a large group of friends, and they became inseparable. They wed not long after she turned 21 and were married for nearly 62 years.

Bernie was the loving mother of four children, Robert (Maura) of New Fairfield, Conn., Michael (Lori) of Patterson, N.Y., Brian (Maureen) of Hopewell Junction, N.Y., and Patty (Evan) of Ridgefield, Conn. She was blessed with 11 grandchildren: Matthew, Patrick, Lauren, Madison, Parker, Thomas, Samantha, Danny, Harry, Katherine and Emily, and two great-granddaughters, Briar and Valentina.

She is also survived by her sisters, Virginia Motto and Dorothy Sekulski, and by many nieces and nephews.

Friends may call at Clark Associates Funeral Home, 4 Woods Bridge Rd., Katonah, N.Y., on Thursday, March 5, from 3 to 7 p.m.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 95 Plum Brook Rd., Somers, N.Y., on Friday, March 6, at 10 a.m.

Interment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery, 357 Route 202, Somers, N.Y., 10589.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in her name to Northern Westchester Hospital.