Ophelia Bernardi Eldridge

FUNERAL HOME

Robert Toale and Sons Funeral Home at Palms Memorial Park

170 Honore Ave

Sarasota, Florida

Ophelia Eldridge Obituary

Eldridge, Ophelia Bernardi
Aug. 30, 1923 - April 3, 2012

Ophelia Bernardi Eldridge, 88, of Sarasota died April 3, 2012.
Memorial services will be 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 13 at Ophelia's on the Bay Restaurant. She will be interred at Palms-Robarts Memorial Park.
She was born Aug. 30, 1923 in Framingham, Mass. to a large and loving Italian family of 13 children.
A devoted and loving sister, mother and grandmother, she is survived by her son, Brian Eldridge of Venice, grandchildren Steve and Lisa Ervin, John Collins, great-granddaughter Emily Ervin of Sarasota, sister Sue Dellicolli of Massachusetts and Fred Bernardi of California. She was preceded in death by her daughter Gail Hathcock.

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Published by Herald Tribune from Apr. 6 to Apr. 7, 2012.

Memories and Condolences
for Ophelia Eldridge

6 Entries

Nancy (DiGirolamo) Brown

April 17, 2012

Although Fie was not my Grandmother by blood she was by marriage. She was my Mother (Dorothy DiGirolamo's) step mother and she was a wonderful, warm and loving woman. I grew up calling her Auntie Fie, but she was a Grandmother to me. I have many wonderful memories with Fie and my late Grandfather Gordon Eldridge. Fie ran many restaurants through the years, from Fishermans Wharf in Roxbury, to the Cafe Amalfie in Randolph to Ophelias in Nakomas, Fl. She was a strong and powerful business woman who would stop at nothing to reach her goals. She inspired me to be an entrepreneur. Although I moved out of the area several years ago, I will truly miss Fie...

Nadine (DiGirolamo) Sutton

April 17, 2012

Fie was a person that I admired for her loving ways, her strength and leadership qualities and of course her fantastic cooking! I have many fond memories going way back to my childhood. She was a wonderful woman and will be greatly missed by all who were blessed enough to know and love her.

Anne Ferro

April 13, 2012

Auntie Fie was one of the most generous people the good lord put on this earth. Passing her test of being a woman worthy of her Markie was no easy task but forever in her heart once I "passed" I have so many fond memories. One of my favorites was our engagement party at the Cape Playhouse Restaurant in 1979. Auntie was cooking and the food was phenomenal and then she showed me the cake. A HUGE confection and to simulate a diamond engagement ring a huge bangle bracelet with the drop from a crystal chandelier for the "diamond". It was creative and heartfelt and delicious. Rest in Peace Auntie!

Mark Ferro

April 12, 2012

Auntie was like a mother to me and my brothers. Whenever I needed refuge, Fie would drop everything and find a way to come and get me. I spent many summer weeks in Nantasket and later in Randolph where I worked as her dishwasher for $1 per day and all the meatballs I could eat. I'll always remember driving down the road with Fie crooning to Tammy Wynette on the radio, with the most genuine hearty laugh one would ever hear. She was one-of-a-kind. She loved pro wrestling, gossip rags, big Cadillacs, and country music. She could cook a meal for 20, and bake 3 cakes, 2 pies, and a tray of pastries, before I even got out of bed in the morning.

Auntie was a giver, often doing for others what she couldn't , or wouldn't do for herself. She gave me a love of life, family, good food, and even her secrets to her meatballs and lasagna. (And don't ask me, I promised I'd never tell).

I'll miss you Auntie. May You Rest in Peace.

Shay Bernardi

April 6, 2012

Auntie Fee was one of a kind. She had the best sense of humor and would always tell funny stories. She was the best cook ever! Everything she made was HUGE! She was always so interested in what you were doing in your life.

I felt very close to her when I moved to Sarasota and opened up a cafe. She helped me so much, she would bring hot blueberry muffins over every morning. Later on, when I moved to Ft Lauderdale she would drive over to Gina's house and spend weekends with us, of course her car was packed with food! She even told us that she was having trouble with her eyes so she just kept one eye closed, we were very worried about that.

Auntie was full of life and so special to me. I will really miss her.

Janet Hopkins

April 5, 2012

Nonnie was a wonderful grandmother to Lisa, Steve , Emily and John. She worked tirelessly to make a successful life for her children and grandchildren, nieces and nephews. She was selfless and kind . God bless Nonnie, the one and only colorful Ophelia, whose name graces well known restaurants. We'll always remember her great recipes, chutzpah, and love of family. Janet Hopkins

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