Barbara Haring Bercier

Barbara Haring Bercier died at her home in the early morning of 30 May 2017, following a long illness; she was 77. Throughout her ordeal, she was continually attended by the family she loved so much and in whom she found such delight.

Born in Charleston, South Carolina, on 8 Jul 1939, to Eunice J. and Daniel F. Haring, Barbara was the first of three daughters. Her family's lives revolved around their larger family of grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and close friends, most all of whom shared a deep, abiding Catholic faith centered around their parish church of The Sacred Heart of Jesus. As a result, Priests were frequently present in Barbara's home and Barbara's close association with them deeply imprinted her life throughout its entire span.

She attended her parish school through eighth grade, then graduated from nearby Bishop England High School in 1957. Among the graduates was a "new Navy kid" named Charlie, who entered her class two years prior and with whom Barbara had but a passing acquaintance.

Barbara had a natural affinity for literature and thus determined to attend the College of Charleston as an English Major with the intent of becoming an English teacher at the secondary level as a career. Coincidentally, Charlie also planned to attend "The College" because of its excellent academic reputation in the sciences, particularly Pre Med. It was at "The College" that Barbara's passing acquaintance with Charlie began to gradually become something quite different.

The two Bishop England graduates found College academics much more demanding, requiring ever greater effort, despite both continuing to work part-time jobs. College social activities had to take a back seat, though not a completely empty one.... Largely through Newman Club activities, the two began to spend more time together toward the end of the second academic year and, ever gradually, God's will for them began to become manifest. They became engaged just prior to their Junior year, after gaining the approval of Barbara's Dad, a rite of passage to which the prospective Groom did not look forward, yet proved to be surprisingly easy. Halfway through that year, Charlie was accepted into Louisiana State University School of Medicine in New Orleans for the coming year. Though not yet married, the two began a pattern of periodic separation which was destined to be repeated throughout the next 35 years of naval service. Wise Priests have held that such separations can bear much fruit for engaged persons who are properly disposed; happily, such was the case for these two members of "The Class of '57".

Following graduation, Barbara taught English at T.J. Harris High School in Charleston, while Charlie completed his second year of Medical School. They were married on the 23rd of June, 1962, at Barbara's lifelong parish of Sacred Heart, officiated by their former high school Principal & then new Pastor of Sacred Heart, Msgr. John L. Manning, who had given them pre marital instruction. So many people & events in Charleston seem to be interconnected...it is just that kind of place.

Fall of 1962 found the newlyweds in New Orleans, where Barbara found temporary work in a furniture store & Charlie began his third year of Med School. She soon resumed teaching Twelfth Grade English in the NOLA public school system until Med School graduation in May of 1964.

The following years were filled with the typical military family pattern of frequent moves, and increasing family size: Danielle in Portsmouth, VA, 1964; Miriam in New Orleans, 1968; Stephanie in Pensacola 1969; and Chuck in Beaufort, SC, in 1974. Throughout over thirty years of active naval (this adjective properly modifies nouns relating to the Navy &/or the Marine Corps) service, Barbara was an outstanding example of the ideal wife and mother: fiercely proud of her husband's role in the defense of our country; providing a consistent example of Christian piety & morality to her children; and her untiring service & leadership within her Catholic community. Both husband & wife continued their lifelong love & profound respect for the Priesthood of Jesus Christ, as lived in the lives and pastoral ministry of so many of the men who have touched their lives and frequented their many homes through the years.

Barbara's earthly journey has ended at last. But she left many tracks across so many hearts, most especially those of her family. In faith, we who remain understand that we will, in the relative blink of an eye, be with her again in that place where every tear will be wiped away...

There will be a Vigil service from 5 to 7 PM, with the rosary at 6 PM at Oak Lawn Funeral Home on Tuesday, June 6, 2017. A Funeral Mass will take place at Little Flower Catholic Church at 12:30 PM on Wednesday, June 7, 2017. Interment will follow immediately at Barrancas National Cemetery aboard NAS Pensacola. There will be no reception; out-of-town family members may visit at the Bercier residence prior to leaving the area. Oak Lawn Funeral Home is entrusted with the arrangements.