Karen BERNIER

Rocky Hill - Karen (Bernier) Cline, R.N., 52, of 43D Brookwood Drive, Rocky Hill, passed away Friday morning, Nov. 4, 2005, at Hartford Hospital following an extended illness.She was born April 30, 1953, in New Britain, daughter of Roger and Frances (Roux) Bernier of Niantic. The family moved to New London in 1959.She graduated from St. Mary School in New London, St. Bernard High School in 1971, and the University of Connecticut School of Nursing in 1975. She also attended Appalachian State University in Boone, N.C.She was commissioned in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps as an ensign aboard the Charles W. Morgan Whaling Ship in Mystic in the bicentennial year 1976 and the 60th anniversary of the Nurse Corps, serving from 1976-1979.She married Samuel T. Cline on May 5, 1979, in St. Mary Church, New London. They took up residence in Boone, N.C., working at Watauga Medical Center in Boone, N.C.Her husband passed away March 15, 1994.She returned to Connecticut in 1998 working in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit at the Connecticut Children's Medical Center, retiring for medical reasons in 2003.She was a member of John Coleman Prince Post #9 American Legion Auxiliary and the American Association of Critical Care Nurses.Besides her parents, she is survived by three brothers, Daniel Bernier of Newington, Jerry and his wife, Valerie Bernier, of Niantic, and John and his wife, Lisa, of Salem; and two nephews and a niece, Adam Cline, Matthieu Bernier, and Olivia Bernier.Calling hours will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Monday at the Fulton-Theroux Funeral Home, 13 Lake Avenue, Niantic. A graveside service will be held at Mt. Lawn Memorial Park & Gardens, Boone, N.C.Published in The Day on 11/6/2005.