Mary Jean Bernardi Powers

Our beloved Mary Jean Bernardi Powers passed away Friday evening, October 4, 2024, surrounded by her family.

Mary Jean, better known as Aunt Merge or M.J., was born in Provo, Utah on June 8th, 1937. She was the second of four children born to Jay Bernardi and Mary Brown Bernardi. Mary Jean grew-up on Grandview Hill surrounded by apple orchards, cherry trees, and strawberry fields. Her bossy older sister Barbara was her relentless protector while her younger siblings, Judy and Julius, and countless cousins were her constant entertainment. She would often reminisce that life on the farm was hard but good. It was never as bad as it could be, but never so good that you had enough to eat.

Mary Jean graduated from Provo High School in 1955. As a young woman, her stunning beauty was only outdone by her charming personality. Her smile was known to disarm even the toughest of souls. She eloped to Las Vegas, Nevada on March 22nd, 1959 to marry her sweetheart David Lynn Powers. They shared a love of antiques and were regulars at swap meets, auctions, and car shows that showcased and supplemented their impressive collection.

For 47 years, Mary Jean worked as an office manager for the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. When she retired, her co-workers were certain the company as a whole would crumble. She could handle any workload given to her with a smile, a nod, and perhaps a curse word under her breath. She would say she learned that on the farm. Upon retiring, Mary Jean enjoyed the company of friends and family. She was rarely without breakfast plans with friends, lunch dates with family, and dinner with her dear cat Lovey Dovey. Her garden was her passion. Her Hosta plants were legendary, and she could nurse any flower to bloom.

Her passing from this world will leave a hole in the hearts of those who loved her. It will be some time before the sky seems the right kind of blue, or the grass the perfect shade of green. Her wit, her charm, her smile, her love made this world a more beautiful place. To honor her we must love like she did, like we have nothing to lose.

Mary Jean is survived by her sister-in-law Paula Bernardi and her brother-in-law Phillip Johnson. She is also survived by her many nieces and great-nieces, nephews and great-nephews, and many many dear cousins. Mary Jean was preceded in death by her parents Jay Bernardi and Mary Brown Bernardi; her siblings Julius Bernardi, Barbara Bernardi Ward, and Judy Johnson; and her husband David Lynn Powers. Her Lovey Dovey was waiting for her on the rainbow bridge.

Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m., Friday, October 11, 2024 at the Berg Drawing Room Chapel, 185 East Center Street, Provo, Utah. The family will receive friends at the mortuary Thursday, October 10 from 6-8:00 p.m. and Friday from 10-10:45 a.m. prior to services. Interment will be in the Provo City Cemetery. Condolences may be expressed to the family at www.bergmortuary.com.