Thursday, July 30, 2009

Gifted Gardener, Great Lady and Even Greater Friend passes away

Hello all,
Most of you have heard that Bernadette Cozart passed away this week...I figured I'd get something posted on her memorial service this Saturday -- we invite whoever would like to come and celebrate Bernie's life. There will be a reception following the service -- please feel free to bring a plate.

The service is Saturday, 11am, at the Metropolitan Community Church, 930 N. 4th Street, #101 (the Silkwerks building).

A future post will commemorate Bernie and mark her contributions to 7th Street and the surrounding neighborhoods. For now, see the Morning Call's obituary, and a segment from Channel 69 News.

An excerpt from the Morning Call obituary

Bernadette Cozart, a gifted gardener who won international recognition for founding the Greening of Harlem, passed away suddenly on July 27, 2009. A transplanted New Yorker, Bernie was an active, prolific volunteer and community leader. Most recently, Bernie was unanimously elected Design Chair of the Seventh Street Development Committee and served two years as president of the Allentown Garden Club. Survivors: Bernie is survived by her partner of 17 years Kathleen Kapila, her many friends and community partners. Services: A celebration of Bernadettes life will be held on Saturday, August 1 at 11 a.m. in Metropolitan Community Church, 930 N 4th St #10, Allentown, PA 18102-1881, (610) 709-8800. Arrangements, Nicos C. Elias Funeral Home, Allentown. Contributions: Contributions may be made to Lehigh Gap Nature Center, PO Box 198, Slatington PA 18080, (610) 760-8889, Mr. Dan Kunkle.

3 comments:

Joyce Marin said...

Bernie's passing is a great loss for our community. Her memorial service was a wonderful tribute to an incredible, inspirational community member.

This week we had a meeting regarding establishing a community garden network in Allentown. I read quotes from a presentation Bernie had given about her work at establishing community gardens in Harlem that I found on the internet.

Bernie's works, her words and her inspiration are still with us. Now it's up to us to put her example into action.

msladyDeborah said...

I know that this is an older post on your blog. I came back to it because I knew Bernadette long before she left Ohio to go to New York. She was the Matron of Honor at my wedding. I wanted to see her as I remember her and I am so thankful that you posted a picture of her.

petelewnes said...

hi deborah - there's not a moment that goes by that i don't miss Bernie - just this weekend I went to NYC for an exhibit at the met and thought bernie would have loved this - she was my frequent partner in crime :) I have more photos if you'd like to share...find me on facebook - peter lewnes if you like.