Bernita Curley

Bernita Curley passed away peacefully at Pickering Manor in Newtown, PA on August 14, 2025. She was born on May 6, 1935 and recently celebrated her 90th birthday.
She lived in Bucks County most of her adult life, having also lived in Princeton NJ, Blue Hill ME, Santa Fe NM, Boulder CO and Rehoboth Beach DE.
She was predeceased by her parents Basil and Mary (nee Burke) Curley, her sister Marie (nee Curley) Audet, her brother John Curley, her first husband James J. Nolan and her eldest son James A. Nolan. She is survived by her son Patrick Nolan and his wife Beth, of York SC, her son Brendan Nolan and his husband Joseph Litton, of New Hope PA and her daughter Carey Young and her partner Alysun Pleva, of New Hope PA in addition to 7 grandchildren and 13 great grandchildren.
Bernita and her then husband David Young co-founded Tohickon Abstract Company in 1976, a family title insurance agency which grew to one of the largest and most respected title agencies in PA and NJ. She loved working and the relationships she built and fostered. Later she would also be a mortgage loan officer in Boulder and Rehoboth Beach.
She loved animals and rescued countless dogs, cats and horses over the years. She pampered them and showered them with love and affection. She was also an avid reader and loved going out to dinner, especially for good Italian food.
Bernita had a wanderlust, having lived in numerous places and a desire for self-discovery, exploring multiple religions and theologies. Raised Catholic, as an adult she traveled to Japan on two different occasions to spend time in a nonsectarian Buddhist monastery. Later she would attend Jewish Shabbat services. She was on the quintessential search for meaning in this life.
Her family is grateful to the staff and caregivers at Pickering Manor Home who took exceptional care of her, making her feel comfortable, secure and loved. She will miss those friendships. They quickly learned the lil lady loved her coffee every morning.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, 501 Front Street, Norfolk, VA 23510.
A private family service will be held to honor Bernita's life.