Bernadette M. "Bernie" Bewsey Price

Bernadette M. "Bernie" Bewsey Price, 73, died peacefully at Franciscan Hospice House on November 27, 2024. Bernie was the only daughter of seven children of Bernard and Margaret (Schmitt) Bewsey.
She grew up in Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and was a proud graduate of St. Agnes Academy. Bernie was the organizer of many class reunions and was very proud of the fact that she remained dear friends, with many of her classmates through the years.
Bernie married Dr. John M. "Jack" Price on September 10, 1971. They were married for 40 years until his untimely death in 2011. They enjoyed traveling together and with friends seeing the wonderful sites in many different countries. They also traveled throughout the United States but reveled in their favorite place, New Orleans, having spent many times there over the years.
Besides her husband and family, Bernie's greatest love was her work for 51 years at the Catholic Youth Organization. She touched the lives of thousands of young people and adults through the years because of her work, service and dedication. She began her time at CYO as a secretary, then bookkeeper and in her later years was the Girl's Athletic Director. One cannot imagine Bernie not being a part of CYO, but because of her example and leadership, it will continue to flourish in the tremendous tradition for which it is known.
She also worked with teenagers at St. Catherine Parish and then Good Shepherd Parish, volunteering as the youth leader for 50 years. She held weekly "drop in's" for the young people to gather for time together and games. Bernie lovingly called the teenagers in her youth group, "The Billies" which has become a distinction of honor for any who was a member of the St. Catherine/Good Shepherd CYO Program. She organized many wonderful trips for her kids as they would go rafting, snow skiing and their favorite, their many trips to King's Island. Bernie wasn't about just fun, however, as she instilled in the youth a great sense of volunteerism as they helped at many different organizations. They were very dedicated to Damar where they worked with children, adolescents and adults with developmental, behavioral, and intellectual disabilities.
Bernie personally volunteered at many different places, always putting others before herself. The endless list could fill pages, but she particularly loved helping at St. Vincent de Paul Society, the Sisters of St. Benedict at Our Lady of Grace Monastery, Central Catholic School and Emma Donnan School. She served as the chapter "mom" for the Tau Kappa Epsilon fraternity at IU Indianapolis a wonderful group of young men focused on service that Dr. Jack Price once oversaw. Bernie also always looked forward to emceeing at the Indy Irish Fest and the Oktoberfest at Holy Name Catholic Church each year.
Her desire to make life better for others also extended into the area around her home. After a neighbor was victimized during a home invasion, Bernie took action and began the Bean Creek Neighborhood Association of which she was President. She wanted not only to make the neighborhood safer, she wanted interaction between the neighbors and for them to get to know each other better. Her hard work paid off as they gather regularly for meetings, engage in safety walks and keeping the area clean. Throughout this time, Bernie was blessed with many new friends who worked tirelessly with her to make their neighborhood a better and safer place to live.
Her illness could not keep Bernie from going forward. Even in the midst of her time going through treatments she was determined to help others. She worked tirelessly raising money to help a food pantry for cancer patient's families at Franciscan Health. Her fund raising efforts brought in over $7,000 and in appreciation they named it "Right Price Pantry" after her. During the last several years, she teamed up with her dear friend, Jeff Thomas, painting beautiful murals at different places around Indianapolis, Beech Grove and Nashville, Indiana. She will long be remembered for her kindness to others and her unselfish ways.
Bernie's cancer required many different treatments which she met with anticipation. She loved talking with the nurses and technicians who lovingly cared for her. She also anxiously faced these times because she knew the special treat of Cheez itz that she would receive. Not only did this seemingly small gesture bring her great joy, it was brought to the attention of the makers of this snack thrusting her into the limelight. The company gifted her with several boxes of Cheez Itz and Franciscan Health featured her in their newsletter.
She was a mentor to so many people and her encouragement propelled others to accomplish tremendous things in their lives. Not wanting pity because of her condition, her positive attitude and jovial personality made others around her feel at ease enabling them to engage in laughter rather than sadness. Bernie will be forever missed but will live for eternity in our hearts. May she rest in peace.
Bernie was preceded in death by her parents Bernard and Margaret Bewsey and her husband, Dr. Jack Price. She is survived by her brothers, Ron (Shari), Steve (Mary Lou) Bewsey, Jim (Angie), Tim (Elaine), Mike (Kathy) and Tom (Kathy), 9 nieces and nephews, 17 great nieces and nephews, 3 great-great nieces and nephews and thousands of friends.
Visitation will be held at Good Shepherd Catholic Church (2905 Carson Avenue, Indianapolis) on Thursday, December 5, 2024 from 1:00 PM until 8:00 PM. Her funeral will take place on Friday, December 6, 2024 at 11:30 AM at Good Shepherd. Interment will be at Calvary Cemetery. Lauck & Veldhof Funeral and Cremation Services are handling the arrangements.
At the request of Bernie, no flowers. Memorial contributions may be made to the various places she designated.
Sisters of St. Benedict
Our Lady of Grace Monastery
1402 Southern Avenue
Beech Grove, IN 46107
CYO Camp
c/o Catholic Youth Organization
580 East Stevens Street
Indianapolis, IN 46203
Good Shepherd Catholic Church
2905 Carson Avenue
Indianapolis, IN 46203
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Bernadette M. "Bernie" Bewsey Price, please visit our floral store.