Doris
Anne
Bernsen
February 9, 2013
Born in Shelby, North Carolina
Resided in Virginia Beach, VA
DORIS ANNE BERNSEN
VIRGINIA BEACH- Doris Anne Bernsen, 82, died peacefully in her home on February 9, 2013.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Rear Admiral Harold "Hal" Bernsen, USN, Ret.; son Rev. Dr. Stephen N. Jolly and his wife Sandra; granddaughter Jennifer Nordaby and her husband, Rich and great grandson Richard of Philadelphia; sister in law Nancy B. Champion of Raleigh; niece Rebecca C. Wood and her husband Edward of Raleigh and nephew Larry Stephen Champion Jr. and his wife Jennifer of Raleigh.
Born in Shelby, North Carolina, she was the daughter of Flay O. and Mary A. Champion. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Dr. Larry S. Champion, Professor Emeritus of English at North Carolina State University.
Doris received her B.A. from Meredith College in Raleigh in 1952 and did graduate work at Florida State University in Tallahassee before commencing her career as a high school English teacher in Pensacola, FL. She taught at Tate High School until her marriage to Hal in 1960. A young naval officer, he had just completed flight training at the time. A supportive and devoted Navy wife, she enjoyed Navy life, especially the travel and the new friends she made as Hal's career progressed.
Both loved animals and despite constant duty station changes over the years that followed, managed to include dogs as an integral part of their lives. During many of those years and specifically after Hal's retirement from the Navy in 1991 she called Virginia Beach home.
Doris began to actively breed show poodles, miniatures, in the mid-seventies and in 1979, while living in Virginia Beach, adopted the kennel name Broad Bay Poodles. Doris began breeding toy poodles in 1980. Over the years Broad Bay could take credit for over one hundred home bred champions. Poodle Variety magazine named Doris top toy breeder in the United States for the years 2001/2002. She was a member of the Tidelands Poodle Club locally and the Poodle Club of America.
Dedicated to improving the breed and always ready with advice and a helping hand, she provided inspiration and assistance to countless individuals in the world of dogs, including many who became good friends in places such as Utah, Sweden, Australia and Germany.
Stricken with lupus and fibromyalgia in 2004 her later years were spent quietly at home with her dogs and family. She was especially proud of her son's achievements as a scholar and successful pastor.
Special thanks and appreciation to the people at Sentara Hospice and Seniorcorp whose assistance allowed Doris to remain at home. And most of all, heartfelt thanks to nurse assistant Retta Lang whose loving care for over five years contributed so much to Doris' quality of life.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 11:00 am at Freemason Street Baptist Church, 400 East Freemason Street, Norfolk, with the Reverend Dr. Stephen N. Jolly officiating. Following the service, the family will receive friends at a reception in the church fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the Virginia Beach SPCA.
Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5792 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.altmeyer.com
VIRGINIA BEACH- Doris Anne Bernsen, 82, died peacefully in her home on February 9, 2013.
She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Rear Admiral Harold "Hal" Bernsen, USN, Ret.; son Rev. Dr. Stephen N. Jolly and his wife Sandra; granddaughter Jennifer Nordaby and her husband, Rich and great grandson Richard of Philadelphia; sister in law Nancy B. Champion of Raleigh; niece Rebecca C. Wood and her husband Edward of Raleigh and nephew Larry Stephen Champion Jr. and his wife Jennifer of Raleigh.
Born in Shelby, North Carolina, she was the daughter of Flay O. and Mary A. Champion. She was preceded in death by her parents and her brother Dr. Larry S. Champion, Professor Emeritus of English at North Carolina State University.
Doris received her B.A. from Meredith College in Raleigh in 1952 and did graduate work at Florida State University in Tallahassee before commencing her career as a high school English teacher in Pensacola, FL. She taught at Tate High School until her marriage to Hal in 1960. A young naval officer, he had just completed flight training at the time. A supportive and devoted Navy wife, she enjoyed Navy life, especially the travel and the new friends she made as Hal's career progressed.
Both loved animals and despite constant duty station changes over the years that followed, managed to include dogs as an integral part of their lives. During many of those years and specifically after Hal's retirement from the Navy in 1991 she called Virginia Beach home.
Doris began to actively breed show poodles, miniatures, in the mid-seventies and in 1979, while living in Virginia Beach, adopted the kennel name Broad Bay Poodles. Doris began breeding toy poodles in 1980. Over the years Broad Bay could take credit for over one hundred home bred champions. Poodle Variety magazine named Doris top toy breeder in the United States for the years 2001/2002. She was a member of the Tidelands Poodle Club locally and the Poodle Club of America.
Dedicated to improving the breed and always ready with advice and a helping hand, she provided inspiration and assistance to countless individuals in the world of dogs, including many who became good friends in places such as Utah, Sweden, Australia and Germany.
Stricken with lupus and fibromyalgia in 2004 her later years were spent quietly at home with her dogs and family. She was especially proud of her son's achievements as a scholar and successful pastor.
Special thanks and appreciation to the people at Sentara Hospice and Seniorcorp whose assistance allowed Doris to remain at home. And most of all, heartfelt thanks to nurse assistant Retta Lang whose loving care for over five years contributed so much to Doris' quality of life.
A memorial service will be held on Wednesday, February 13, 2013 at 11:00 am at Freemason Street Baptist Church, 400 East Freemason Street, Norfolk, with the Reverend Dr. Stephen N. Jolly officiating. Following the service, the family will receive friends at a reception in the church fellowship hall.
In lieu of flowers memorial gifts may be made to the Virginia Beach SPCA.
Altmeyer Funeral Home, 5792 Greenwich Road, Virginia Beach is in charge of the arrangements.
Condolences may be shared with the family at www.altmeyer.com
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View Doris Bernsen's Video Tribute Service
Freemason Street Baptist Church
400 East Freemason Street
Norfolk, VA US 23510
Norfolk, VA US 23510
