Marion R. Bernstein

Marion Valentine Rigney Bernstein, of Columbia, formerly of Ellicott City, died July 27, 2008, of natural causes, at Lorien Nursing Center. She was 90.

Born Feb. 14, 1918 in Pittsburgh, Pa., to George Luther and Florence H. Rigney, she graduated from Taylor Allderdice High School, in Pittsburgh in 1935.

She married William Cary Barnes in 1937. Mr. Barnes died in 1963.

She married Nathan Bernstein in 1965.

Mrs. Bernstein worked as a bookkeeper and secretary for Kalus Construction Co., in Baltimore, for 27 years. She retired in 1979.

She and her husband lived in Baltimore before moving to Garden City, S.C., in 1980. She volunteered with a rescue squad in Murrells Inlet, S.C.

While there, she used her organizational skills and business acumen by volunteering to help people settle estates and fill out income tax returns, either in her home or in theirs. She continued the work by answering questions on related matters after later moving to Columbia.

In 1990, Mrs. Bernstein and her husband moved to Ellicott City to be closer to family. After becoming a resident of Harmony Hall in 2001, she volunteered to help registered voters, attended residents' meetings and played the organ for Harmony Hall's church services.

She shared her love of music with her children by playing the violin for the Baltimore Recreation Orchestra and the Goldenaires at The Bain Center.

She was a member of Bethany United Methodist Church in Ellicott City. Family members described Mrs. Bernstein as an honest woman who had a strength of character and perseverance and who possessed a strong religious faith that she strengthened daily by doing devotional readings and sharing spiritual matters with others.

She is also remembered for being named in 2005 Volunteer of the Year by the Howard County Board of Elections for having a significant impact on ensuring Harmony Hall residents' participation in the voting process. In 2004, more than 96 percent of Harmony Hall registered residents voted in the presidential election compared to 81 percent countywide, family members said.

She was predeceased by her husband of 26 years, William Cary Barnes; her husband of 36 years, Nathan Bernstein, who died in 2001; and a brother-in-law, George Pferdeort.

Mrs. Bernstein is survived by two sons and two daughters-in-law, Robert W. and Catherine Barnes, of Perry Hall, and Ronald and Barbara Barnes, of Millers, Md.; two daughters, Nancy Saari, of Columbia, and Marjorie Barnes, of Taneytown; a sister, Lillian Pferdeort, of Bel Air; eight grandchildren, The Rev. Robert Barnes, Joanne Kern, Nancy Lee, Susan Ellen Barnes, Eric Barnes, Trish Barnes, Eric Saari and Kristi Douglas; seven great-grandchildren, Katie Barnes, Robbie Barnes, Grace Kern, Jared Kern, Hannah Kern, Maya Barnes and Kelly Barnes; three nephews, James Pferdeort, Thomas Pferdeort and Daniel Pferdeort; a niece, Deborah Bonds; and other relatives and friends.

A graveside service will follow at Druid Ridge Cemetery in Pikesville at a later date.

Memorial donations may be made to the Howard County Firemen's Association, 4150 Montgomery Road, Ellicott City, MD 21042 or to a charity of choice.

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