Carson loses longtime community activist

Carson City lost one of its most strident community advocates with the passing last week of Edith Naomi Bernard, 90.

Bernard, who went by the name Naomi, moved to Carson City in 1947 and quickly became involved in community projects and organizations.

"When we moved here in 1947, there were only 4,000 people, there was only one paved street , there was no hospital and there were no community groups," said daughter Marcia Cuccaro. "It was people like (my mother), Kay Winters and Gertrude Gottschalk who got things going."

A key fund-raiser to build a hospital in Carson City, Bernard was a charter member and president of the Tahoe-Carson Hospital Auxiliary.

Bernard, wife of longtime Nevada State Prison Warden Arthur Bernard, was also in on the creation of the Brewery Arts Center in the mid-1970s and of Mills Park in 1951. She also took an active role in numerous other community organizations, such as the Capitol Community Concert Association, the PTA and Desert Gardeners.

"She was interested in anything that made the community better," said friend Gertrude Gottschalk.

And she didn't just belong to the clubs, Gottschalk said, she participated in them with zeal.

"She was usually president of whatever group she was in."

Naomi Bernard's interests did change somewhat throughout the years. When her children were young, much of her energy went to organizations like the Boy Scouts or Girl Scouts and PTA. When the children were grown, more energy was directed toward the arts and community causes.

One constant, however, was music.

"Music. My mother and music," said Cuccaro. "Everywhere she went there was music."

Proficient on the piano as well as the organ, Bernard had a knack for bringing those around her in on the songs.

"Wherever she went, around the world, she had people singing."

As a homemaker, Cuccaro said, Bernard had a quiet strength.

"She never dictated," Cuccaro said, "but somehow, whatever she wanted got done."

Her parenting style seems to have worked out.

All of her children went on to college and became successful as adults, as did her grandchildren. Her great-grandchildren are on their way, too, said Cuccaro.

Bernard is survived by her husband, three children, five grandchildren and seven great- grandchildren, as well as many friends in Carson City.

"She was a great lady. We will all miss her," Gottschalk said.

n Contact reporter Cory McConnell at cmcconnell@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1217.