Obituary of Bernadette Elizabeth "Liz" Bracken

ILION - Ms. Bernadette Elizabeth “Liz” Bracken, age 76, passed away peacefully on Friday morning, October 21, 2016 at Faxton-St. Luke’s Healthcare with her devoted family by her bedside. Born in Utica on October 15, 1940, Bernadette was the daughter of the late James Edward Bracken and Mary Honorah (Booth) Bracken. She was raised and educated in Ilion and was a 1958 graduate of Ilion High School. Upon completion of her education, Liz went right to work. Her career at Utica Mutual spanned a period of over 25 years until her retirement. Liz was an extremely spiritual woman who was devoted to the Catholic Church and its teachings. Her faith guided her throughout her lifetime and she spent many years involved with the Church of the Annunciation in Ilion. Although Liz never had any children of her own, she instilled her values to her beloved nieces and nephews and nothing gave her more enjoyment than her time spent with them. In her spare time she enjoyed crossword puzzles and old television shows. Liz is survived by her sister and brother-in-law, Suzanne and Paul Grainger, of Ilion; her brothers and sisters-in-law, George and Carol Bracken, of Herkimer, and Robert and Gail Bracken, of Ilion; brother, William Bracken, of Waterford; sisters-in-law, Carol L. Bracken, Esther Bracken, and Linda Delfs; her twenty-seven nieces and nephews; as well as numerous great-nieces, great-nephews and cousins. She was predeceased by her parents, her sisters, Mary Wood, Patricia Burm, Nancy Bracken and Barbara Whitfield and her brothers, James Bracken, III and Thomas Bracken. Visitation will be held on Monday, October 24, 2016 from 2:30PM – 4:30PM at the Applegate-Day & Enea Family Funeral Home’s original location at 102 West Street in Ilion. Liz’s funeral service and Celebration of Life will be held at the funeral home at 4:30PM, immediately upon the conclusion of visitation. Memorial contributions in Bernadette’s name can be made to the Church of the Annunciation, 109 West Street, Ilion, NY 13357. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home. A special thank you is extended to the staff of the Mohawk Valley Health Care Center for their kindness and concern shown to Liz throughout her years there. The Bracken family has entrusted all service arrangements to Don Applegate and Martin L. Ciaccia, Funeral Directors.