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Bernice Marita Kearney Arbegast, age 91, of Branford, beloved wife of the late William D. Arbegast, passed away peacefully surrounded by her loving family on Aug. 12.

Bernice was born on Oct. 2, 1926, daughter of Thomas and Katherine (Heffernan) Kearney. She touched the hearts of everyone she met. Her love and kindness is a legacy that will live on in generations to come.

She is survived by her five daughters and her sons-in-law, Therese and Bennett Zinkerman, Betty and Frank Iannotti, Eileen and Vincent Taddei, Nancy and John McMeekin, and Janet and John O’Dell. She will also be dearly missed by her 15 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and friends whom she always made feel like family.

Besides her husband William D. Arbegast, Bernice was predeceased by her sister Katherine Zaveruha, her brother John Kearney, and her in-laws Sheila Kearney, Alec Zaveruha, Harry and Jean Arbegast, Henry and Betty Czajkowski, and Leroy and Helen Smeltzer; as well as her son-in-law Douglas Altmannsberger.

Friends may call at W.S. Clancy Funeral home, 244 N. Main St., Branford, on Aug. 17 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Aug. 18 at 11:00 a.m. at St. John Bosco Parish (formerly St. Mary’s) in Branford, where she was a devoted lifelong parishioner. Burial will be private.