Bernadette Haskins Balkum
Went home to be with Our Lord on April 1, 2023. She was born in Tampa, December 7, 1933, to William T. Haskins III and Josephine (Arduengo) Haskins. She is preceded in death by her husband former Air Force MSGT Frank J. Balkum, her daughters Mary Balkum, Lisa Balkum, and Jeannette Balkum Reilly. She is survived by her daughters Teri Tribendis (Mary), Loretta Taplow (Douglas), Susan Balkum, Sandra Clary (Richard), Rosemary Buchwalter (Rick), and sons Francis J. Balkum, and William G. Balkum (Kimberly) and seven grandchildren who meant the world to her.
Bernadette is a direct descendant of the original family to settle Tampa in the 1800’s. She attended Sacred Heart Academy, graduating in 1951, where she received an award for perfect attendance from first grade through graduation. She taught at Sacred Heart, Tampa after graduation. She received her BA degree from Trenton State College where she was an Honor Society member. After marriage, she relocated to New Jersey. Moving off of McGuire AFB after Frank’s retirement in 1969, she resided for more than 50 years in North Hanover Twp, NJ where she spent many years on the Township Committee and was very politically active. She was a lifelong teacher at both Sacred Heart School in Mt. Holly, NJ and Sacred Heart School, Trenton, NJ.
Mass of Remembrance and Christian Burial will be held at Sacred Heart Church, Tampa, FL on April 27, 2023, at 10:00am. A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:30am Tuesday, May 9, 2023 at Sacred Heart Church, Mt Holly. NJ. The New Jersey mass will be followed by a graveside service at the original Church of the Assumption Cemetery, New Egypt, NJ.