Bernadette Boka

Bernadette BOKA, of Annandale, VA, passed away on Friday (December 25, 2015) at her home in Virginia surrounded by her children, grand children and husband. She was 72.

She was born August 5, 1943 on the Île Saint-Louis in the heart of Paris FRANCE during the Second World War. Her parents were active members of the French Resistance involved in arms transport and forged documents. After the war her family moved to Maisons-Alfort where she was raised along with her 3 sisters; her father owned a small hardware store. She arrived in New York City aboard the Queen Mary in the early 60's and was married in Trenton, New Jersey. She traveled extensively with her family in the 1960's and 70's raising her 3 children in France, England, Greece and Spain and subsequently Delaware, Nebraska, finally settling in Virginia. She enjoyed cooking and baking, collecting antiques, gardening, classical music, opera and traveling, but her greatest joy was time with her family, especially her grandchildren.

She was first and foremost a dedicated mother, wife and grandmother. She held various jobs outside the home throughout her life including executive secretary at New York Life Insurance, office manager at the Board of Education in Bellevue Nebraska as well as several restaurant hostess positions. She was never shy to express her opinion especially to help those she cared for. She possessed a sharp and quick wit, often opening her beautiful home for dinner parties and holidays, her elegant style, engaging personality and her dedication to family and friends made her unique and loved. She had a tremendous impact on the lives of those she loved and cared for and she will live on in the memories of those she touched.

She was predeceased by her parents Louis Etienne BERTHAULT and Geneviève Lucie Valentine CHAUSSON, and her elder sister Marie Jeanne. She is survived by her husband and partner of 33 years Col. James LESLIE USMC (Ret); children James Louis BOKA and wife Cindy BOKA of Gaithersburg, MD; Jon-Michael BOKA and wife Marci COHEN of New York, NY; Catherine Dawn (Boka) SIMS of North Carolina; step children Shawn LESLIE and wife Melody LESLIE of Albuquerque, NM; Shan (Leslie) DESLAURIERS and husband Shawn DESLAURIERS of Lower Burrell, PA; brother Roland BERTHAULT of France; sisters Françoise BERTHAULT of Phoenix, AZ; Monique BERTHAULT of Fredericksburg, VA; grandchildren Sophie BOKA, Jonathan BOKA, Jeremy BOKA, Tabitha LESLIE, Dakota DESLAURIERS, Brooke DESLAURIERS; former husband Jon Alan BOKA.

A private memorial service was held for immediate family at Immanuel Bible Church. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington Virginia at a future date. Notification will be sent to family and friends. In lieu of flowers the family is asking that gifts be made to a charity that Bernadette has supported for over 40 years:

www.giftfunds.stjude.org/BBoka