Bernice Marie D'Arcy
Jan. 19, 1918-March 1, 2018
Menlo Park, California

Bernice D'Arcy, 100, a longtime resident of Menlo Park and San Jose, died peacefully at Sequoia Hospital on March 1 after a brief stay.

Mrs. D’Arcy was a native San Josan, born and raised in Sunol-Midtown at Race St. and Auzerais Ave. She spoke of her days at Notre Dame High School and the friends she made there. One of Bernice's first jobs was at Hart’s Department Store in San Jose. A graduate of San Jose State University, Bernice's teaching skills brought her to an immigrant elementary school in Madera as well as the Pinnacles, and then several elementary schools in San Jose.

Upon marrying James C. D’Arcy she retired from teaching, though worked for a couple of shops at nearby Stanford Shopping Center. Jim and Bernice loved traveling to Reno, the Holy Land, and throughout Europe. She enjoyed volunteering at St. Raymond Parish and creating the centerpieces for the annual Christmas meal at Vallombrosa Center. Bernice was very social, claiming her favorite scenic view was “people!”

The daughter of Jacob and Emily O'Neill, one of the pioneering families of the Santa Clara Valley, Bernice was stepmother to Anne D’Arcy and Maureen Reichmuth (Frank), grandmother of three, great-grandmother to two and caring aunt to numerous nieces/nephews and auntie to just as many grand-nieces/nephews. Bernice was preceded in death by her husband, James D’Arcy; siblings John (Thelma), Robert (Grace), Victor (Mildred), Jake, Daniel (Geraldine) and Ellen Prenger (William “Bud”).

Bernice's family would like to thank Mailyn S., Virginia C. and Virginia G. for the wonderful care and compassion given to Bernice for years.

Tags: teacher/educator