Bernadette Claire McIlmail, of Cumberland, also known as Bernie, passed away peacefully on August 9, 2023, at the age of 81. She was the beloved wife for 59 years of Paul J. McIlmail. Born in Central Falls, RI, she was a daughter of the late James H. and Lillian R. (Sparks) Corrigan.
Bernadette graduated from Central Falls High School in 1960, and attended Bryant College on a full academic scholarship. In 1964, she graduated with a Bachelor of Education, and married Paul, the love of her life. That same year, they bought their home in Cumberland, where they would live for more than 40 years. She taught at Central Falls High School for several years before leaving to focus on raising her children. She later went to work in the Admission Department of Fogarty Memorial Hospital in North Smithfield, RI, where she remained until her retirement.
Bernadette loved children, and whether they called her “B” or “Auntie Bernie,” they flocked to her. She also loved Elvis, Lincoln Woods, jigsaw puzzles, animals, Foxwoods, going to plays and concerts, parties, weekends at the Cape with her girlfriends, platform shoes, and her very large, extended family. She will be missed.
In addition to her loving husband, she is survived by her five children: Timothy (Jody) McIlmail, Dawn (John) MacDonald, Daniel (Joy Mumford) McIlmail, Lynn (Brian) McNamara, Lee (Craig) Brown; eighteen grandchildren: Zoe Lucas, Claire, Fiona, and Ferris McIlmail, Ethan, Ben, Daniel, and Patrick MacDonald, Shea and Esme McIlmail, Megan Parker, Grace, Owen and Liam McNamara, Faye, Jack, Luke, and Tess Brown; two siblings: Esther (Edward) Griffin and Norbert (Sandra) Corrigan; and many dear nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her siblings Mary Banach, James Corrigan, Margaret Rattey, Ann Brunelle, Lillian Corvo, and Charles Corrigan.
Relatives and friends are kindly invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial on Wednesday, August 16th, at 10:00AM, in St. Michael’s Church, 80 Farnum Pike, Smithfield. Calling hours are respectfully omitted. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Bernie's memory to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, a cause that was close to her heart.