Bernadette Marsh

Bernadette was born on 13th May 1929 to James and Alice Pomfret.  She had three brothers, Bernard, Francis and James. Bernadette’s first home was in Topping Street, Bury, though the family later moved to 66 Wood Street, Elton, Bury, where Bernadette lived until her marriage to Bernard Marsh.      Bernadette and Bernard met at Guardian Angels, where they helped organise local dances at the church hall.  At this time, Bernadette worked as a bookkeeper and wages clerk for Dobson and Barlow, a textile machinery manufacturer based in Radcliffe.  During their courting, their shared love of the outdoors developed, with walking/youth hostelling around the Peak District and the Lakes, and cycling on their tandem.    Bernadette and Bernard were married at Guardian Angels (which at the time was a ‘tin hut’ on the corner of Fenton Street/Harvey Street and Walshaw Road), on 20th September 1952.  Their first family home was 7 Kingston Road, Radcliffe, which was also the first home of Peter, Michael and Ann, before the growing family moved to 3 Brookside Crescent in Greenmount in 1961.  The family continued to grow, with the addition of Christine and John.  Brookside Crescent has been the home of the Marsh family up to the present day.  However, there was one last ‘big’ move from 3 to 39 Brookside Crescent in 1970.    Family and St Hilda’s were the centre of Bernadette’s life.  As well as being a full-time mother, Bernadette, along with Bernard, was fully involved in church life.  They were among the first parishioners to worship at the newly built St Hilda’s Church in 1963.  Bernadette was always keen to take an active role.  She joined the Union of Catholic Mothers (UCM) in 1952 and thoroughly enjoyed the religious and social activities this involved.  As one of the mothers said, “there isn’t a job in the UCM that she hasn’t done”.  As well as being president and treasurer of St Hilda’s UCM, she was also UCM Diocesan treasurer from 2003 to 2008.  Not to be missed were the great New Year’s Eve parties held in the church hall and open to all the families of the parish.  Who could resist the bright lights, the dancing and the bingo?     Not one to shy away from a new challenge, she couldn’t say no to providing a helping hand with Girl Guides, initially at St Anne’s.  It wasn’t long before husband, Bernard, was also involved.  He established the scout troop at St Hilda’s, which was followed by the opening of the guide troop by Bernadette, assisted by Sheila Murphy and Mary Price.  Great fun was had by all, and a particular highlight was the joint summer camps, organised by Bernadette with military precision.  Her mass catering skills were also put to good use for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Scheme, at the Greenside outdoor pursuit centre in Glenridding and at Longsleddale camping barn.  On retirement from active guiding, she became a member of the Trefoil Guild.  Bernadette’s charity work has also been extensive, including helping out every week for over 10 years at the ‘Drop-in Centre’ in Salford Cathedral and serving in a charity shop in Bury.     Both Bernadette and Bernard had a great love of travelling and seeing the world.  Following on from family holidays, they set their sights further afield, travelling to Canada, the USA, and many parts of Europe, not forgetting family visits to Belize.  Sadly, Bernard, was taken from us too early, but Bernadette didn’t lose her sense of adventure embarking on solo trips to New Zealand, the USA (again), Chile, African safari, Russia and China to name a few!  Even for her 80th birthday, Bernadette, with daughter Ann, in tow, enjoyed an Alaskan cruise.    As you can see, Bernadette lived life to the full, had time for everyone, and an approach to life that was full of optimism.  Though she will be sadly missed, we know she will be with God’s arms around her.