BRIDGEWATER- In the comfort of her home and in the company of family, Nancy Diane Bernius, age 72, passed away peacefully on September 6, 2025, after a seven-year battle with cancer. Although the fight has ended, she reigns victoriously! Nancy was born in Brooklyn, New York to parents Humbert and Nancy (Lucchese) Chieffo, and grewContinue Reading
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BRIDGEWATER-
In the comfort of her home and in the company of family, Nancy Diane Bernius, age 72, passed away peacefully on
September 6, 2025, after a seven-year battle with cancer. Although the fight has ended, she reigns victoriously!
Nancy was born in Brooklyn, New York to parents Humbert and Nancy (Lucchese) Chieffo, and grew up in Bay Ridge (the
backdrop of Saturday Night Fever). She met the love of her life, Charles Bernius, in 1968 and they married on February
23, 1975, spending over 50 inspiring years together.
The mother of two fabulous daughters, Jill Voll and Megan Bernius, she successfully raised her family in Bridgewater,
New Jersey. Nancy encouraged many of their activities and was involved as a girl scout troop leader and Sunday school
teacher at St. Martin’s Episcopal Church. She achieved Grandma Goals with her grandchildren, Brandon and Penelope
Voll, and unapologetically spoiled them. She also loved her grand-cat, Boo, to whom she was highly allergic.
Nancy’s work ethic was unmatched. For decades, she hustled as a waitress while raising her young family, even working
three jobs at one point. In 2008, after 15 years in a medical office, she retired as an Office Manager and opened the
Nancy Daycare Center for her grandson.
Beyond her commitment to her family and career, Nancy had a few hobbies and interests. She loved to crochet,
particularly baby blankets for just about everyone she knew with a newborn. She kept her brilliant mind sharp with
crossword puzzle books, watching Jeopardy, Wheel of Fortune, and even became an unlicensed attorney from the
school of “Law and Order” (the original with Jerry Orbach). She frequently “experimented” in the kitchen and had more
cooking tools than Inspector Gadget. Family favorites were baked macaroni and cheese, seasoned chicken wings, and
everything on the Thanksgiving Day table.
She was a legendary host and threw parties in her beautiful, meticulously decorated home. If she was hosting ten
guests, she’d cook for 100. Even at her own events, she was more fashionably late than Elizabeth Taylor. Her charm was
adored by everyone. Plus, her incredible, one-of-a-kind sense of humor, which she generously passed to her daughters.
Nancy was a “pocketbook” collector and on an endless hunt for the perfect red lipstick. Her sense of style, not only in
fashion, but throughout her home, has been admired by many. Her passion for furniture required a second canvas, in
the form of a beach house in Westerly, Rhode Island. A haven she loved to share with friends and family.
She appreciated historical landmarks. A couple of her favorites were the mansions of Newport, RI and the beautiful
Longwood Gardens, PA. Charles and Nancy explored the countryside of New Jersey and Pennsylvania on their infinite
Sunday drives. They road tripped all over the east coast, up to Maine, down to Florida, and stamped her passport twice
in Canada. They even went as far west as Tennessee. She was the original navigation system, preferring an atlas over
GPS.
Nancy will be missed tremendously. She is predeceased by her father and mother, Humbert and Nancy Chieffo, and
sister, Christine Morrone. Her legacy will live on with her surviving husband, Charles, daughters, Jill and Megan, the best
son-in-law, Kevin, and grandchildren, Brandon and Penelope.
The family wishes to send a very special thank you to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Memorial Sloan Kettering,
Overlook Medical Center, Atlantic Health Visiting Nurses, and Grace Healthcare Services. The care and support you
provided well exceeded expectations.
A celebration of Nancy’s life will be held from 2:00pm to 5:00pm and 6:00pm to 8:00pm on Thursday, September 11,
2025 and Friday, September 12, 2025 at the Cuoco Funeral & Cremation Services Funeral Home 10 West End Avenue,
Somerville, NJ. A visitation from 1:00pm to 3:00pm followed by a service at the funeral home will be on Saturday,
September 13, 2025.
We welcome you to share your memories on our Tribute Wall www.Cuocofuneralandcremation.com
Shelly Levine
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Li ching jung
left a message on September 11, 2025:
Jim & Marguerite Manos
left a message on September 9, 2025:
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left a message on September 8, 2025:
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left a message on September 7, 2025:
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Shelly Levine
left a message on September 12, 2025:
Li ching jung
left a message on September 11, 2025:
Jim & Marguerite Manos
left a message on September 9, 2025:
Marguerite Manos
left a message on September 8, 2025:
Sandy M
left a message on September 7, 2025: