Bernadine M. Sandquist of Rehoboth Beach, formerly of Newark, Lake Junaluska, N.C. and Azle, Texas, passed away Sunday, Jan. 6, 2013, at Brandywine Assisted Living in Rehoboth Beach just two months before her 101st birthday. She was a native of St. Paul, Minn., and was the daughter of the late John and Lydia McBride.

She led a full and rich life and was always close to God. She married the late Lawrence Sandquist in 1939 and moved with him to Azle, in the early 1940s. She was a homemaker and a “Rosie the Riveter” during World War II.

When she was 51 she started college and graduated cum laude with a degree in elementary education. She taught second grade in the Azle school district for seven years and retired to travel around the United States with her husband.

She was preceded in death in 1983 by her husband, Lawrence, and an infant grandson. After Lawrence’s death, she moved to Lake Junaluska, to be closer to her youngest daughter, Dr. Kathleen Wright. While there she was very active in her church and civic groups and taught reading to the illiterate. One of her students subsequently wrote a book and had it published.

At age 92, she moved to Newark to be closer to her oldest daughter, Sharon Fox, and at age 95 moved to Brandywine Assisted Living in Rehoboth Beach.

She is survived by her daughters, Sharon Fox of Bethany Beach, LaVonne Gysan of Clermont, Fla. and Dr. Kathleen Wright of Ocala, Fla.; six grandchildren; and eight great-grandchildren whom she loved with great affection.

The family would especially like to thank the wonderful people who cared for her at Brandywine Assisted Living and Compassionate Care Hospice.

There will be a small memorial service for Bernie in Clermont conducted by her son-in-law, Pastor Paul Gysan in March, and burial will be in April in Azle.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Lutheran Church of Our Savior, 7 Bay Vista Rd, Rehoboth Beach, DE 19971.