Obituary of Bernice F. Healy

Bernice Healy (Coakley), age 92, of Kingston, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2021.  She was born in Nahant to the late Bernard “Brick” and Eleanor (Dussault) Coakley.  Loving mother to Christopher Healy and his wife Michelle of Marshfield, Michael Healy and his wife Cassandra of Kingston, Timothy Healy and his wife Kay of Northridge, CA and the late Andrea Healy. Cherished grandmother to Sarah Donahue and her husband Alex Donahue, Kyle Healy, Dan Healy, Morgan Healy and Cole Healy and great grandmother to Eva and Lily.  Bernice was predeceased by her bother Edward Coakley formerly of Nahant and is also survived by her sister Rita Barnhart of Elida, Ohio, her former husband Robert Healy of Kingston and a number of nieces, nephews and friends.

Bernice, also known as Bern, Nana, Auntie Bernie and sometimes Bunny as a girl, was born in Nahant, went to Lynn Classical HS and graduated from Salem State College.  She was an elementary school teacher for many years but also enjoyed her brief time as a shoe salesperson where she spent most of her pay on building an impressive shoe collection.  She was proud of driving to CA with a friend in a car in “shaky condition” to teach in Long Beach after college and then, when her friends were getting married and starting families, she said, “not yet for me”, and taught at US Military bases abroad in Japan, Italy and Germany in the 1950’s.  She enjoyed sharing memories of visiting a Japanese bath house, eating and drinking at the Munich Hofbrauhaus and attending the 1956 Winter Olympics in Cortina, Italy.  

She married budding restauranteur, Bob Healy, in 1960 and spent winters in VT and summers on Cape Cod teaching, operating several establishments and starting a family.  They eventually settled on Cape Cod where Bernice and the family enjoyed its natural beauty, the beaches and ocean, and number of year-round and summer friends including a close group of Nahant, Lynn and college friends who she remained close to her entire life.  She eventually left teaching while raising four children but then worked as a salesperson for Martha Murray Real Estate in Dennis for ~30 years up until age 85.  She enjoyed reading, gardening, local theater, Boston sports teams, spending time with family and friends and solving the world’s problems over a “chicken” (weak) Manhattan or two at night.  She believed most ailments could be cured by a hot bath and a good night’s sleep and enjoyed good health for most of her life.

She was associated with the Harwich Junior Theater for ~40 years and enjoyed having her children take classes and perform in plays while young and later serving in various capacities including on the board of directors.  Bernice also enjoyed painting and loved looking through magazines for interesting scenes and then  recreating them and also painting small pieces of furniture.  Many would describe Bernice as a “lovely and pleasant person”.  She was thoughtful, caring, smart, independent and loved by many.  The Healy family is known for having a number of loud voices and Bernice would often let others take center stage but deliver the right words at the right time, be they heartfelt, prophetic, funny or sharp. She will be missed but forever loved.

All are welcome to join the family for a Prayer Service beginning at 10:00am at the Shepherd Funeral Home, 216 Main St. Kingston, on Tuesday, April 13 with visiting hours continuing to 12:00pm.  A private burial will take place at Chandler Gray Cemetery in West Yarmouth. 

In lieu of flowers, donations in Bernice’s name may be made to the Harwich Junior Theater Scholarship Fund or 105 Division Street, W. Harwich, MA  02671.