GLOUCESTER—Bernadette Spillane, 84, passed away peacefully in Gloucester on February 18, 2026.
Bernadette—also known as “Bernie” or “Bebe”—was born in San Francisco on March 12, 1941. She attended San Francisco State University and City College of San Francisco, earning her nursing credentials. She married her husband of more than 60 years, Dennis Spillane, in Belmont, California, in 1964. They raised their family in Belmont and she spent her career as a nurse and hospital administrator.
After their retirements, they followed their dreams and embraced a quieter way of life in the Northern Neck. They lived for over 20 years in Reedville, Heathsville and Kilmarnock, where Dennis still resides.
Bernadette’s compassion and generosity knew no bounds. She lived her life for her family, always placing her loved ones above herself. Her kindness and sharp wit brightened the days of everyone around her. Despite significant medical challenges in her later years, her strength and spirit propelled her forward until finally it was her time to go, cracking jokes until the very end. Her family takes comfort knowing that her life was full and well-lived, and that she rests in peace.
In addition to her husband Dennis, Bernadette is survived by her sons and their families, Daniel Spillane, his wife Margaret, and their children Fiona and Clark; and Richard Spillane, his wife Adrienne, and their children Edwin, Isidora and Allister. Bernadette also is survived by her daughter, Denise Spillane; her sister and brother-in-law, Sherryl Anne Soo and her husband Andrew; her brother and sister-in-law, Jesse Malone and his wife Darlene; her sister-in-law Kathleen Florance; and her brother-in-law Mike Spillane.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Bernadette Malone.
A funeral service will be held at 11 a.m. Friday, February 27, at St. Francis de Sales Church in Kilmarnock, with interment to follow at Roseland Cemetery. A visitation will be held the evening before, 6 p.m. Thursday, February 26, at Andrews Funeral Home in Gloucester..
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
Andrews Funeral Home of Gloucester handled the arrangements.
