Nancy Mason Bernard

1958 - 2024

Nancy Stewart Mason Bernard passed away on April 13, 2024, following a short but courageous battle with cancer. A native of Benton, Alabama, Nancy was born on July 9, 1958 to the late Dudley and Nancy Shanahan Mason.

Nancy was a graduate of Lowndes Academy. Then she happily followed in her father's footsteps and attended Auburn University where she received her undergraduate and graduate degrees. On Christmas Eve 1980 she interviewed for a job at the Auburn Career Center and never left until her retirement in 2018. In addition to serving as the Director of Career Services, she taught the Freshman Year Experience Class. At her retirement she was awarded the title of Director Emeritus.

Nancy believed in giving back to her profession and her community. While working at Auburn she served as the President of the Southeastern Association of Colleges and Employers and the Alabama Association of Colleges and Employers. She was involved with the National Association of Colleges and Employers and was a certified Etiquette Consultant. She served on the University Insurance and Benefits Committee, Administrative & Professional Welfare Committee, Orientation Review Committee, Freshman Advising Center Committee, University Undergraduate Advising Counsel, and the Quality Enhancement Project Committee.

After her retirement, Nancy continued her life of service. She served as Treasurer and Yearbook Editor of the Woman's Club of Auburn and was slated to be the next President; she was Treasurer of the Auburn Campus Club; Board Member of the Women's Philanthropy Center, and President of the Auburn University Retirees Association and a Board Member and Instructor for the Christian Women's Job Corp.

Along with her community involvements, Nancy was an ardent bridge player, playing at least once a week and a voracious reader. She also played Bunco and had recently learned Mah Jong. She loved all things Auburn, especially athletics and was a regular attendee of football games, men and women's basketball and women's gymnastics. Her next favorite place after Auburn was the beach, preferably on the Florida Gulf Coast.

Nancy is survived by her husband of 42 years, David Bernard; her son Mason and his wife Margaret of Auburn; her daughter Mallory of Sarasota, Florida; and the most recent addition to her family, granddaughter Nancy Mason Bernard born on January 17, 2024. She is also survived by her brother and sister-in-law Jim and Tammy Mason of Benton Alabama and her sister and brother-in-law Susan and Jerome Hand of Benton Alabama, numerous nieces and nephews, her god daughter, and her close friends Melissa Brown, Patti Hannigan, and Alisa Mosley.

There will be a visitation at the Woman's Club of Auburn, 712 Sanders Street in Auburn on Saturday, April 20, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm followed by a service and burial at Good Hope Presbyterian Church, 7129 County Road 9 in Tyler, Alabama on Sunday, April 21 at 2:00 pm.

Nancy will always be remembered for excellent cooking, her warm smile, her appreciation of nature, her love of all things Auburn, and especially her love of family and friends. If you would like to honor her, please send donations to: Christian Women's Job Corp, 215 East Thatch Avenue, Suite 101, Auburn, AL 36830 or Good Hope Presbyterian Church, 379 Washington Street, Benton, Alabama 36785