Irene Veronica Bernas Gafner

She was born Irene Veronica Bernas Roldan, and grew up in her beloved California. She always called the West Coast the Best Coast.

After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University in 2003, she pursued a law degree at the University of Notre Dame. At Notre Dame, she quickly decided law wasn’t for her, but also quickly found her love, Chris Gafner. They traveled the world, with adventures in many faraway places, including Iceland, Central America and New Zealand.

Ivy and Chris married at the Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola in New York City on April 27, 2013 - dancing the night away at their wedding reception in Bryant Park.

She had a successful career in financial services and banking, most recently, as a Vice President within M&T Bank’s commercial real estate lending platform. As a well-respected relationship manager, Ivy was the lead banker on various high profile and substantial hotel transactions and relationships for M&T, developing them through her perseverance, patience and insight. Her work ethic was unrivaled. Even following her diagnosis and treatments, Ivy continued to lead large syndicated transactions, managing those projects and relationships. She was beloved by all, clients and colleagues.

The role she loved and valued most was being a mom to her darling boys, four-year-old Grant and one-year-old Xander. They loved baking, doing crafts and eating ice cream together. The family of four traveled to California often to visit the Roldan family and friends. She made sure to develop the boys’ love for California beaches, In-N-Out Burger and Filipino food.

Ivy is survived by her husband Chris and sons, Grant and Xander.

She is also survived by her parents, Grace and Roger Roldan, her brothers: John Paul, his wife Anne and their children Kieran and Claire; Peter, his wife Denise and their daughter Chiara. Ivy also leaves behind numerous cousins, in-laws, extended family members and friends who will forever love her and who will never forget her sharp humor, funny and contagious laugh, kindness and love for everyone.

A funeral mass will take place on February 27, 2020 at the Church of Saint Ignatius Loyola, 980 Park Avenue at 84th Street, New York City. The mass will begin at 12:45 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, please donate to cancer research.