Bernadette M. Ardoin, 80, passed away on April 8, 2026, at Massachusetts General Hospital. Born on October 18, 1945, in Brooklyn, New York, Bernadette was the beloved daughter of Leonard and Lucia (Delucia) Ardoin. At a young age, she moved with her family to San Diego, California, where she spent much of her formative years.

Bernadette built a dedicated and impactful career in retail management, working for many years as a supervisor with Mervyn’s in California and Abraham & Straus in New York. She was deeply committed to her work and especially passionate about community engagement. During her time in New York, she helped create programs in partnership with the local police department to support and mentor children, reflecting her lifelong care for others and her desire to make a positive difference.

Beyond her career, Bernadette was a vibrant and creative spirit. She had a deep love for art and was an artist herself, which remained her true passion throughout her life. She enjoyed traveling, with Europe being her favorite destination, and always dreamed of visiting her ancestral homeland of Bari, Italy.

Bernadette was known for her colorful personality, quick wit, and gift for storytelling. She could strike up a conversation with anyone and was warmly regarded as social, friendly, and engaging. She loved music and leisurely reading, and was both highly intelligent and street smart, with a strong sense of intuition.

As a young girl, she cherished playing table tennis with her father, a memory she held dear. She was also an animal lover, endlessly curious about the world, and embraced life with spontaneity and enthusiasm.

Bernadette will be remembered for her compassion, creativity, and lively spirit. Her legacy lives on in the many lives she touched through her kindness, humor, and generosity.

She is survived by her partner Brenda of Nashua; her goddaughter Kimberly Carr, godson Connor Carr, Godchildren Carson, Josh, Shannon, Hunter, Will and AJ; her cousin Carol Fiorillo; her former husband Sabato Noto; her longtime best friends Kathy Caldwell and her husband Alan; a dear friend Marsha Sideris; and friends Charlotte Hagen and Linda Kauffman.

At Bernadette’s request there will be no formal services.