Mary R. Bard

Mary R. Bard of Wayne, PA passed away peacefully on September 23, 2023, having lived a full life of 98 years.

Born in Bethlehem, PA on July 24, 1925, Mary was the daughter of Bart J. Reynolds and Beatrice Burkhardt.  She was the oldest of six children -  John (Jay) Reynolds, Margaret (Peggy) Nikander, Joan Ryan, Beatrice (Bebe) Cist and William (Billy) Reynolds.  Mary’s sole surviving sibling is Bebe.

Mary graduated from Liberty High School in Bethlehem, PA and was the first in her family to attend college.  She spent two years at Brooklyn College followed by two years at Columbia University medical center.  She graduated with an RN degree.

Mary began her nursing career at St. Luke’s Hospital in Bethlehem, PA in pediatrics.  Her career was temporarily sidelined in order to care for her father after he suffered a severe heart attack.  Upon returning to St Luke’s, she met her beloved husband, James.  They were married in November of 1951 and by May of 1060 they had six children and were living on Poplar Avenue in Wayne.

Mary has always enthusiastically embraced life.  In the ensuing years she raised six children and worked as an RN in hospital settings, nursing homes and held several teaching positions instructing nursing students.  She finished her career at age 70 working at the monastery in Villanova caring for retired priests.  She often commented that this was her favorite job.  She enjoyed the stories these aged men would tell of their lives dedicated to Christ’s beloved people.  More than her work, she loved and supported her husband with great joy.  Mary’s relationships with and care for extended family are “legendary”.  She was a woman with an unusual gift of faith.  She was a member of St. Katherine of Sienna Parish in Wayne and in 1981 moved to Chesterbrook, Wayne, and joined St. Isaac Jogues Parish.

She, along with her husband and family, enjoyed many summer vacations at the Jersey shore and later in the Poconos.  They were always welcoming to family and friends. 

Mary is survived by her six children: David (wife Jannie), Mary K., Jonathan (wife Michele), Eric (wife Barbara, dec’d 2016), Jamie (wife Sherrie) and Philip (wife Debbie).  David and Jannie have 4 children and 15 grandchildren.  Eric and Barbara have 2 children and 2 grandchildren.  Jamie and Sherrie have 3 children and 4 grandchildren. Mary has quite a heritage!!

Mary’s legacy to her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren could be summed up in the following Bible passage.

II Corinthians 4:16-18: “So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.  For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”

A Memorial Service and Luncheon will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, October 21, 2023 at St. Isaac Jogues Parish, 50 West Walker Road, Wayne, PA  19087.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions to the Wounded Warrior Project, https://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/, P.O. Box 758516, Topeka, Kansas 66675-8516, would be appreciated.