Bernadette Hennion Shira, 94, died peacefully on Wednesday, March 8, 2017 at the North Mississippi Medical Center in Tupelo, Mississippi.

Bernadette was born on October 25, 1922 in Upper Saddle River, NJ, to Lucy Bohen Hennion and John Jacobus Hennion. She married Charles Norris Shira in 1951 and they had six children.

Prior to her marriage, Bernadette grew up on a picture postcard farm in Upper Saddle River, New Jersey. As such, she was somewhat a Tomboy, all 4’11” and 98 pounds of her. She would ride horses, hunt rabbit and tussle with her older brothers Jim and Pete. In her late teens she worked as a “Rosie the Riveter” at Wright Aeronautical in Patterson, NJ testing Wright Cyclone engines that were destined for the war effort Boeing B17’s. She even tested an experimental in-line 22- cylinder engine for a Howard Hughes concept aircraft. Bernadette was an avid fan of the Golf Channel and never missed a Dak Prescott game. She loved to cook for family and guests and was always the gracious hostess. Bernadette had a sweet smile and infectious laugh that endeared her to all who knew her. Her Catholic faith was very important in her daily life and she was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary at St. Joseph Catholic Church.

Bernadette is preceded in death by her husband, Charley Shira and survived by her six children: Ann O’Donnell (Jim) of Dallas, Texas, Susan Lack (David), Charles Michael Shira and Laurette Shira, all of Starkville, Mississippi, Linda Carden (Joe) of Long Beach, Mississippi and Bill Shira (Anne) of Savannah, Georgia. Also surviving her are grandchildren Jillian and Jake O’Donnell, Scott Carden, Kristen Schmitz and Rebecca Tekell. She has six great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be held on Monday, March 13, 2017 from 6:00pm-7:00pm at St. Joseph Catholic Church, Starkville, Mississippi followed by a Rosary. The funeral mass is scheduled for Tuesday, March 14 at 11:00am at St. Joseph Catholic Church followed by internment at Memorial Gardens in Starkville. Father Lenin Vargas will officiate. A reception and celebration of Bernadette’s life will be held at St. Joseph Catholic Church Parish Hall immediately following internment. All are welcome to attend.

The family wishes to express their gratitude to those who cared for Bernadette. Special friend Mr. Dennis Joy, at-home caregiver Mrs. Sherry Miller, Dr. Benjamin F. Sanford and Mrs. Pat Jones of Starkville Internal Medicine, the Staff of Gentiva Home Health Care, the Physicians and Staff of North Mississippi Medical Center and Oktibbeha County Hospital, and Cardiology Associates of North Mississippi.

Pallbearers are: Jim O’Donnell, Jake O’Donnell, David Lack, Joe Carden, Bill Shira, Charles Michael Shira, and Dennis Joy.

In lieu of flowers the family requests memorials be sent to St. Joseph Catholic Church, 607 University Dr., Starkville, MS 39759 or to the North Mississippi Medical Center Inpatient Hospice Care Unit.