Rosemary Bernard

New Iberia - Rosemary Eckart Bernard passed away on September 5, 2007 after 90 years of an amazing life. A native of New Iberia, Rosemary was born on December 9, 1916 to William Joseph Eckart, Sr. and Annette Cecile Brown Eckart. She earned her B.A. in Upper Elementary and M.A. in English from USL in Lafayette. Beginning her 26 year career as a teacher and supervisor with the Iberia Parish School system and having taught at USL, Rosemary instilled enthusiasm, values, character and a desire for education in all of her students. Following her true passion, Rosemary then attended Art School at USL for ten years. Her love for art along with her bright personality is what gave her the artistic ability to create a wonderful array of artwork which has been exhibited throughout Acadiana. Rosemary and her husband Martin owned and operated the Colonial Court Motel in New Iberia. She also was a Post Mistress for the U.S. Postal Service at the Naval Air Base in the 1960s. Rosemary was very active in her community, she was a volunteer at the Iberia Parish Library and Shadows on the Teche; she was a member of the Fortnightly, Acorn Garden, Iberia Cultural Association, TAG Art Group and the Teachers Organization KKI. She will be loved always and missed greatly by the many persons she touched during her long years of service to the community as well as her immediate family. Survived by her three children: Rebecca Ann Gelatt and husband Richard, of Covington, Priscilla Ann Lampert and husband Ralph, of Williamsburg, VA., and Barney Bernard and wife Merle Gary Bernard, of New Iberia; grandchildren: Neal Bernard and wife Jimi Domingues Bernard, of Waco, TX., Christopher Bernard, of Beijing, China, Rebecca Lampert Golding and husband Nicholas of Toronto, Canada, Deborah Lampert Cloaninger and husband Ed, of Atlanta, GA., Ann Marie Bernard Monier and husband Paul, of New Iberia, Michael William Bernard, of New Iberia, Al Goodyear and wife April, of New Iberia Jon Pat Goodyear and wife Karen, of New Iberia, Kimberly Gelatt Oldham and husband Henry, of Wilmington, NC and Richard Gelatt, Jr. and wife Sandra, of Philadelphia, PA; 23 great grandchildren; 3 great great grandchildren; friend and former daughter-in-law, Faye Bernard McDuff and last but not least Rosemary's faithful canine companion, Rusty. In addition to her parents, Rosemary was preceded in death by her husband Arthur Martin Bernard, II, her son Arthur Martin Bernard, III and her brother William Joseph Eckart, Jr. and his wife Jean Levy Eckart. The extraordinary and compassionate care given to Rosemary by Claudia Bienvenu, Alice Butler, Joyce Williams and Hospice of Acadiana is greatly appreciated. Friends are cordially invited to a memorial visitation and reception to celebrate Rosemary's life beginning at one o'clock in the afternoon on Saturday, the 15th of September 2007, at Pellerin Funeral Home in New Iberia. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to Iberia Humane Society, Post Office Box 11422, New Iberia, LA 70562-1422 or Hospice of Acadiana, 2600 Johnston Street, Suite 222, Lafayette, LA 70503. Pellerin Funeral Home of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements, 502 Jefferson Terrace Blvd, New Iberia, LA 70560, 337-365-3331.