Bernadette (Blauvelt) Bean reached the end of her story on Thursday, June 25, 2026, when she died at her home in Albany, Oregon with her husband of almost forty years, Kent Bean, faithfully by her side.

Bernadette was born on August 13, 1958 in Port Jervis, NY and was the youngest of the Blauvelt siblings. She received her High School diploma in 1976 and then attended Orange County Community College in Middletown, NY. Two of her high school friends convinced her to apply for a position at the mental hospital Letchworth Village in Rockland County where she trained as a Certified Nurse Aide. Bernadette loved working with her residents and treating them like family; she chose to work as a CNA for the remainder of her career, mostly in nursing homes, intensely advocating for her residents.

During Bernadette's time in the U.S. Navy, she was stationed in San Diego for computing mainframe installation and logistics, then assigned to Norfolk, VA where she met the love of her life, Kent Bean, a Navy photographer from Oregon. They were wed on July 27, 1986 and had two children. Danielle born in 1990 and Michael born in 1992. After having adventures in Virginia, California, Oregon, North Dakota, and New Hampshire, they settled down in Oregon by purchasing their first home.

Bernadette spent her mornings with a cigarette, cup of coffee, and newspaper so she could read the obituaries-- we hope she would have enjoyed reading what we wrote in her memory, and the horoscopes as she was the most Leo of Leos. While sipping Lipton iced tea or Coca-Cola, Bernadette would bake anything from cookies to cheesecake to banana bread to birthday cakes. She was best known for her fierce independence, researching and questioning official narratives, sense of humor, laugh turned cackle turned cough, story telling, and decorating the house in the most festive of Christmas spirit. Her holiday cooking always left an impression, whether it was corned beef for St. Patrick's Day or the boiled broccoli that evoked the ghostly spirit of Ebenezer Scrooge for Christmas, thankfully topped with delicious cheese sauce. She often said, "I have to love you, I don't have to like you," yet would notice when you mentioned that you liked something and then ensure a plethora would be under the tree as gifts at the next Christmas. She wanted what she thought was best for everyone and showed her love by sharing bits of her wisdom.

Bernadette leaves behind her devoted husband Kent, her children, Danielle and Michael, and beloved grandchild, Avery. Survived by her three sisters Barbara, Laurette, Mary Jane, and her brother William. May she rest in peace knowing she left this world exactlv as she wanted; as Bernadette would have said, "Love you, bye."

AAsum-Dufour Funeral Home to handle arrangements.