Bernadine’s Happy Ending: A War Widow’s Story

This week I thought I would do something a little different.  I’m not posting a letter, but rather a LIFE magazine article from April 15, 1946 about a war widow named Bernadine Doyle.  I admittedly rolled my eyes upon reading this headline because it seemed to me that the author would be interviewing everyone BUT Bernadine regarding her situation. As I went on to read more, I was impressed with Bernadine’s candid explanation of her experience as a young widowed mother of two sons.   I wanted to share this article with some like-minded people, so I posted the first page of the article on a Facebook group for history lovers of which I’m a member (shout out to the “History Loving Murderinos”).

And then something really cool happened.

It sparked a discussion among some really smart women on the internet who tracked Bernadine down to see if she ultimately ended up with her happy ending.  A huge thanks to Kacie Brown who found both a video interview with Bernadine and her obituary, which are posted below.

First, the article:

 

And now, a video interview with Bernadine and Al via Getty Images:

 

 

And finally, Bernadine’s obituary:

 

Langfield, Bernadine Mary, 95. Bernie Langfield, was awarded her wings on January 17 at home surrounded by her loving family. Bernie is fondly remembered as Mom, Mother, Sammy, Gram, and Cinderella. Rosary will be held on Sunday, January 22 at 7:00 pm and a Mass of Christian burial will be held on Monday January 23 at 10:00 am both at Holy Family Catholic Church, 4377 Utica Street, Denver, Colorado. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to Holy Family Catholic Church 4377 Utica Street Denver, CO 80212 & Holy Family High School, 5195 W 144th Avenue, Broomfield, CO 80023 in care of Patty Gabriel. Bernie is survived by her loving sister Loretta (Secord) Domenico Rieckhoff, her children, Jim (Karen) Doyle, Bill (Bonnie) Doyle, Bob (Lynn) Langfield, Bernie (Dick) Treat, Patty (Mike) Gabriel, Jeanne (Blake) Norville, Julie (Dave) Lobato, Kris Langfield, Rick (Tess) Langfield, Scott (Lisa) Langfield, Wendy (Tom) Wessling Her Grandchildren are: Andrew, Emily, Nathan+, Jacob, and Peter Wessling; Adam, Grace, and Josh Langfield;Daniel, Michael, Justin (Megan), Zachary, Samuel+, Shannon and David Langfield; Michaela (Rob) Hill, Lynn (Ray) Medina, Stacey Heronema;Chad (Jenni) Lobato, Carly (Ryan) Schnabel; Aaron (Sandra) Pughes, Jenae (Josh) Niday; Mike (Crystal) Gabriel, Gwen (Andy Berens, Mark, Matt Gabriel; Dianne (Paul) Taylor, Kim (Dell) Taylor, Michelle (Bill) Bishard; Todd Langfield, Cari (Matt) Griffin, Danielle Langfield; Kecia (Dan) Doyle-Green, Bill (Pam) Doyle; Brion (Christina) Doyle, Kevin (Sheri) Doyle, Ami Doyle, Barry (Lauren) Doyle Great Grandchildren John Paul, Mary Katherine, Henry James, Michael Patrick+, and Charles Joseph Doyle; Jack and Morgan Doyle; Connor Doyle-Green; Taryn Doyle; Reily Langfield; Graeme and Declan Griffin; Zach (Caitlyn) Taylor, Travis, and Brenna Taylor; Kyle (Christy) Taylor, Corey, Cody, and Caleb Taylor; Anthony and Alex Bishard, Rocco and Dominic Gabriel; Drew and Gabriel Berens; Nick and Katelyn Gabriel; Neveah, Jared, Emily, Caley, Melanie, and Derek Niday; Austin and Ashlyn Lobato; Lily Schnabel; Kason and Kenzi Hill. Bernie was looking forward to the arrival of her first great-great grandchild later this year. Bernie was preceded in death by her husband Al Langfield, her husband Shelton Doyle; by her parents, Bill and Alice Secord; her sister Beverly Hart and her brothers Don, Bill and Ken Secord.

 

As we enter into 2019, nearly 73 years after Bernadine’s article was published in LIFE, I hope you remember that second chances and happiness are possible, even under complicated circumstances.

Happy New Year!