Mary Lucy Accornero Bernal December 10, 1914 – December 29, 2014

 A Memorial Celebration of her Life will be held at a later date – when “the ground is dry and the sun is warm” in the early spring.  Those wishing to attend may contact the family att [email protected] for that information. In lieu of flowers, you may consider making a donation to Heifer International, Mary’s favorite charity.
  Long-time resident of Morgan Hill, Mary Lucy Accornero Bernal passed away at her home in Morgan Hill on December 29 at the age of 100.
 Mary was born to Allesandro and Marie Accornero on Orchard Avenue/ now Santa Teresa Blvd., in Madrone, CA on December 10, 1914.
 When Mary’s father died, she was six years old and she and her siblings were placed in foster care.  Mary was unable to graduate from High School because of work commitments.  
 In 1936, she was married to Marshall Bert Bernal (deceased).  They were married for 66 and a half years. They made their first home in San Jose and in 1946, purchased a 200 acre ranch in the Paradise Valley area of Morgan Hill.  It was bare land that backs up to El Toro/Murphy’s Peak.
 They lived in a tent for nine months while they built and made their home from a Quonset hut kit. She along with her husband, Marshall ran the ranch together where they raised pigs, goats and cattle.  
 Her sons, Micheal and Mark were born in 1946 and 1948.
 After her sons were married, Mary went back to school where she obtained her General Education Diploma.  She taught cake decorating and candy making in Morgan Hill through the Adult Education Program for over 30 years.  Mary made countless wedding cakes for family members and friends.
 She was also an accomplished writer, having taken creative writing classes. When that creative writing group disbanded, she initiated a writing club of her own.  She facilitated this writing class through the Senior Center here in Morgan Hill.  Her stories of life on the ranch and how and when she was reunited with her siblings have proved to be inspirational for her writing class participants.
 Mary’s many hobbies include knitting, cooking, baking, canning, reading, and emailing her friends and family. She was also an accomplished musician, playing the accordion and piano.
 She was very active to the end, celebrating her 100th birthday with a huge crowd of friends and relatives. On the night before her passing, she made a large pot of soup.
 She is survived by her two sons, Micheal and Mark (Nancy Vasquez) Bernal, grandchildren, Brian Swift Bernal (Leslie), Angella Bernal (Alissa Mahoney), Marshall (Alyssa Gurrola) Bernal, Martin Bernal, Amber (Brian) Hartman and great-grandchildren Breanna Latt and Aiden Hartman.  She is also survived by her brother, Bob (Melody) Johnson and Barbara Ardoin.   
 Preceded in death are her sisters, Angie Annotti, Katherine Lucido, Bessie Menithorn,  Rose Gumm, and  brother, Joe Accornero. 
 She will be missed by her cherished nieces and nephews and her many friends.  Everyone will remember those beautiful eyes that held your attention whenever she spoke to you. She is remembered as a loving “people” person who thrived on visitors that she called “her audience” for her many stories and adventures on her beloved ranch.