Bernardine (Bernie) Clarke

March 17, 1928 - May 23, 2025

Beloved mother, healer, teacher, and friend.

Bernardine "Bernie" Clarke passed away peacefully, leaving a legacy of compassion, excellence, and lifelong service to others. A nurse, educator, and Healing Touch practitioner, Bernie shaped generations of nurses with her clinical expertise, spiritual insight, and extraordinary dedication.

She served for many years on the faculty of the Medical College of Virginia, earning numerous honors, including the Outstanding Faculty Award from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia and the Outstanding Nurse Alumni Award from VCU/MCV. In 1992, she was named a Fellow of the American Academy of Nursing, one of the field's highest distinctions. She also served by gubernatorial appointment on Virginia's Department for Children Advisory Board, where she was Vice-Chair from 1990 to 1991.

Throughout her career, Bernie was active in professional organizations such as Sigma Theta Tau, the American Nurses Association, and Healing Touch International. She was a national voice in energy-based healing and wellness, regularly teaching and presenting on Healing Touch, Therapeutic Touch, and alternative health practices.

Born in Virginia's Shenandoah Valley, Bernie's early love of music and community began in her family's church. She met her husband, John Clarke, in New York while both pursued graduate studies. They raised three daughters Penny Reid (husband Rob), Melissa Pittz, and Susan Clarke (wife CrisMarie) and eventually settled in Washington State to be near family.

Bernie's later years were spent continuing her healing work, building community, and enjoying life's small joys; folk dancing, reading, sipping mochas, and staying civically engaged. She is survived by her daughters; grandchildren Clarke and Carolina Reid, Abbie (Tom), Angie (Zak), Andy (Katie), and great-grandchildren Ben, Nate, Sage, Lily, Lincoln and Camden; and many extended loved ones.

Bernie Clarke will be remembered for her brilliance, warmth, and deep presence. She touched countless lives through healing, teaching, and simply showing up with kindness.

A Memorial Celebration will be held in Bloedel Hall, Saint Mark's Episcopal Cathedral, Seattle at 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, July 30. An option to attend the memorial online via Zoom will be available contact a member of the family to receive the link.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Richmond Times-Dispatch on Jun. 15, 2025.

Memories and Condolences
for Bernardine Clarke

5 Entries

Judy Collins

June 23, 2025

Dear Bernie´s Family,
Please know my thoughts and prayers are with you at the passing of wonderful Bernie.
I had the pleasure of serving on the Faculty with her at MCV School of Nursing many years ago!.. what an amazing person, teacher and mentor!
Love she had such a long a fulfilling life with all her beloved family Judy Collins, NP Richmond. VA

Mary Corley

June 19, 2025

How fortunate that Bernie had such a long life-it enabled her to do so many wonderful things for so many. As her colleague, we did not want her to leave VCU School of Nursing to move to Seattle, but understood why it had to be. Blessings to all her family.

Toni R Binford

June 16, 2025

My sincere condolences to your family. I went to Ginter Park with Penny & her father was the principal.

Fran Hemby Owen

June 15, 2025

I attended Ginter Park Elementary School in Richmond when your dad was the principal there. I came in contact with John and Bernie years later when a friend of mine introduced me to the International Folk Dance Club in Richmond. John apparently was in charge of new membership. He approached me to give me my name tag and told me who he was! It was a blessing to have him in my life again. That is how I met Bernie. She was always so kind and I enjoyed getting to know her. She was always an encourager to me. I was sad when they moved away, but I will always have those memories.

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Lucinda Stephens Holmes

June 15, 2025

I am a nurse, in large part, due to Bernie Clark. She was a patient, caring role model for me, as I am sure she was to generations of nurses. We will all miss her!

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