Bernhandena E. Coelle

1928 - 2025

Bernhandena E. Coelle, 97, of Cheswick passed away peacefully on Friday, Nov. 14, 2025, in Canterbury Place Hospice, Pittsburgh. Bernhandena was born on Sept. 4, 1928, in Berlin, Germany. She survived the depression and World War II only to be captured and serve five years in a Russian concentration camp. After release, she met her future husband, Heinrich (Heine) Coelle, in Bremen, Germany. They came to America in 1960 with their daughter, Carina (Robich), and they lived with relatives in Oakmont for a year before settling in Cheswick. Bernhandena, going by "Dena," worked at Haskel Office Furniture in Oakmont as a spot welder. She then went to the Westinghouse Cheswick plant, from where she eventually retired. She and her husband loved to travel to different countries and learn the culture there. She was a member of the Teutonia M nnerchor Club women's choir and was very involved with German activities in the Pittsburgh area. Dena loved doing ceramics with her friends and belonged to a card club. Bernhardena was preceded in death by her husband of 59 years, Heino (Heinrich). She is survived by her daughter, Carina (Gary) Robich; their sons and families, Robert (Tiffany) Robich, their daughters, Jordyn and Brooklyn and William (Jennifer) Robich and sons, Brooks and Colin. Friends will be received from 2 to 4 and 6 to 8 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025, in CHARLES B. JARVIE CHESWICK FUNERAL HOME INC., 1607 Pittsburgh St., where her blessing service will start at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Interment will be private for her immediate family. www.jarviefuneralhome.com.