Joanne Marie Bernardo

Joanne Marie Horsmon Bernardo was born on July 11, 1941, to Walter and Cecilia Pekar Horsmon. She passed away on Saturday, September 6, 2025, following a long illness.

She was the oldest of two children and grew up in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh, her first job was as the executive assistant for the President of Duquesne University. This is where she met the love of her life, John "Jack" Joseph Bernardo, a MBA student at Duquesne. They married in 1968 at the Church of the Epiphany in downtown Pittsburgh. Then they moved to West Lafayette, Indiana where Jack was a PhD student and Joanne was the executive assistant to the President of Purdue University. After a couple more moves, they settled in Lexington, Kentucky in 1977 with their two sons, John and Jeffrey. With Jack as a professor at the University of Kentucky, Joanne became a life-long Wildcats fan but never forgot her beloved teams in Pittsburgh – the Steelers, the Penguins and the Pirates.

Joanne was the super volunteer for her children's schools, Mary Queen of the Holy Rosary Parish, Habitat for Humanity and Meals on Wheels. And she was a devoted friend. Her friendships from Purdue with Jim and Trish Watson, Tim Cook and James Marsden lasted a lifetime. She was also an amazing cook, talented bridge player and a supportive, nurturing and loving mother and wife. Her best role, by far, was as the doting grandma. Nana adored her four grandchildren and had a wonderful knack for spoiling them thoroughly while teaching them how to play cards and bake cookies. Ever the conversationalist, Nana was always telling stories about her beloved grandchildren to her friends with pride.

The family would like to thank the numerous doctors, nurses and therapists from UK Hospital, Good Samaritan Hospital, and Pine Meadows for taking care of Joanne during her long illness. We are forever grateful for your kindness and compassion.

Joanne is survived by her sons, John (Christa) and Jeffrey (Yuanyuan) and her four "sweeties," Arabella, Gianna, Justin and Sophia. She is also survived by sister-in-law, Debbie Horsmon and sister-in-law, Joyce Bernardo Taylor, and her husband, Steve. Joanne was predeceased by her husband, Jack; her parents, her brother Bobby Horsmon; and longtime confidant, Ann Pekar.

In lieu of flowers and service, the family asks that you consider making a memorial donation to Joanne's two favorite charities, Habitat for Humanity or Meals on Wheels.

A private family gathering will take place at a later date.

Care Cremation and Funeral Service is honored to be entrusted with final care.