Bernadette Anne Sanfilippo (Clark), 45, of Fairport, NY, passed away peacefully at home on April 2, 2026, surrounded by her loving family, after a courageous two-year battle with cancer.
Bernadette was the beloved wife of Michael Sanfilippo, devoted mother of Gavin (23), Aubrey (18), and Gillian (16), and the cherished daughter of Gary and Elizabeth Clark of Norwich, NY. She is also survived by her brothers Andrew (Melissa), Matthew (Anna), and Jeffrey (Tiffany); her sister Gabrielle (Michael); eight nieces and nephews; and an extraordinary circle of friends she considered family in every sense of the word.
Born and raised in Norwich, NY, Bernadette was known for bringing a lively spirit wherever she went, often stirring up a bit of playful chaos around town alongside her siblings. Always ready for the next adventure, she embraced life with enthusiasm and an open heart. Some of her happiest memories were spent gathering with loved ones at camp. She moved to the Rochester area in 2003 and eventually settled in Fairport. There, she built a life full of warmth, laughter, and love.
Bernadette’s generosity touched everyone around her. She devoted her career to caring for people. She began working in group homes before joining Rochester General Hospital as a medical assistant in the operating room. She rose to become the Administrator of Vascular Surgery at Strong Memorial Hospital and ultimately was Manager of Surgery at Highland Hospital. She was the kind of colleague known for going above and beyond for patients and staff alike because that’s the kind of woman she was.
Following in her caring and selfless footsteps, all three of her children have chosen similar paths. Gavin serves in the U.S. Navy and has excelled as a master-at-arms, training new recruits for certification. Aubrey recently graduated from the Army’s MP school at Fort Leonard Wood. Gillian is currently in high school and is training to become an EMT.
She was a fixture of the Fairport wrestling community, where all three of her children competed. She volunteered on the booster club for years and could always be found loudly cheering mat side for her kids and everyone else’s too. She never missed a match, a recital, a concert, or a ceremony.
Bernadette was also famous for bringing people together. From epic neighborhood Halloween parties to COVID-era outdoor graduation ceremonies, multiple weddings, and countless gatherings in between, she was always the gravitational force at the center of it all. That was Bernadette. Where others saw an obstacle, she saw an occasion.
Following her diagnosis in February 2024, she lived with extraordinary intention. She traveled with her family to Iceland, the Dominican Republic, Myrtle Beach, and San Francisco. One of her final trips was to Orlando, where she gathered her parents, her siblings, and all their children under one roof for a week. She attended her daughter Aubrey’s Army graduation at Fort Leonard Wood, and she visited her son Gavin, who serves in the U.S. Navy in Groton, CT.
In June 2025, she renewed her vows with Michael at Zugibe Vineyards on Seneca Lake. It was the wedding she had always envisioned and finally realized after COVID, with the people she loved most. Through it all, she never lost her humor. She found joy in telling her oncology team cancer jokes she loved from a comedian couple who faced their own cancer diagnosis alongside her. She made people laugh until the very end.
In her final months, Bernadette was working to plan a charity event benefiting two causes she cared deeply about: the Wilmot Cancer Institute, whose team cared for her throughout her treatment, and Special Spaces, a nonprofit that creates dream bedrooms for children diagnosed with cancer. Her family hopes to carry her legacy forward through donations made in her name.
In place of flowers, the family asks that donations be made in Bernadette’s honor to:
Special Spaces: https://specialspaces.org/newyork-fundraisers/
Wilmot Cancer Institute: https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/cancer-institute/giving/make-a-gift
When donating, please note “In honor of Bernadette Sanfilippo” so that Michael, Gavin, Aubrey, and Gillian will know.
The family extends its deepest gratitude to the exceptional team at the Wilmot Cancer Institute and to the hospice staff whose compassion meant everything when it was needed most.
Calling Hours will be held at the Richard H. Keenan Funeral Home, 7501 Pittsford-Palmyra Rd, Fairport, NY, on Saturday, April 11th from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. A funeral service will be held at the All Seasons Chapel at White Haven Memorial Park, 210 Marsh Road, Pittsford, NY, on Sunday, April 12th at 11:00 a.m. All are warmly invited. The burial will be private.
Bernadette Stories – bernadettestories@gmail.com
Bernadette loved deeply, touched many lives, and experienced so much in her time. We invite you to share your stories and help build a collection of memories that honor Bernadette and reflect the many facets of her life. Stories can be to bernadettestories@gmail.com and will be compiled and shared with her family. A heartfelt story matters far more than a perfectly written one. Thank you.
24 responses to “Sanfilippo, Bernadette Anne”
Bernadette you will truly be missed. I’m going to miss the laughter we shared, the encouraging words that kept me motivated, you were the shouldered if I needed to cry on. You weren’t just my manager you were my friend. I will miss you so much.
We are so very sorry to hear of this. She was a beautiful person inside and out. Saying prayers and sending love.
Bernadette had an infectious laugh and smile. I will truly miss her and my deepest sympathies go out to her family. She will be truly missed. She truly was one of my favorite people to have known
Bernadette and I worked together for years, started at RGH vascular which we had so much fun we named it “club vasc!” She definitely had a great sense of humor, wonder worth ethic and knew how to make people smile and laugh, she was awesome with the patients. She joined Strong Vascular which was great because we were able to work together, I knew she would be a great asset to the team!! Again, Bernadette brought laughter with hard work and her staff loved working for her because of her positive attitude. I will definitely miss seeing but she definitely not forgotten, RIP Bernie!!
Our deepest sympathy to Michael, Gavin, Aubrey, Gillian, Gary, Liz, as well as all the siblings, nieces, nephews, and friends. We will keep you all in our prayers 🙏🏼❤️🙏🏼
You are all in our thoughts and prayers. She was so beautiful inside and out.
The Ramich Family
Bernadette, you will be missed but never forgotten. You had a knack for making people feel welcome and heard. From working together at Vasc Surg to watching our kids wrestle your personality always shined You always had a smile on your face no matter what was thrown your way. You took this diagnose and you fought an amazing fight. I will miss seeing you at the mats and watching you boast about your kids! Gone too soon B, shine bright from the heavens above.
I first met Bernadette right after she met Mike at Club Vasc! We had instant repore and friendship! I’m amazed by her energy and enthusiasm! My kids were nanny to her kids and I will forever miss her optimism and organization skills!!! Forever in my heart💜
We will miss Bernadette deeply. She was a favorite to us at Willow Salon. We are so sad. Thinking and praying so hard for her family, and her beautiful children she loved so much.
Thank you all for your loving support and especially your kinship and interactions throughout Bernadette’s life.
I’m so sad to hear this.I grew up with Bernadette. My heart hurts for her & The Clarke family. I will always keep a special spot in my heart for her ❤️
my dearest Bernadette you touched my life in a wonderful way .There will never be another person like you. I am going to miss you ever so much you made my heart rejoice being near you.you will never be forgotten but you certainly will be missed . Condolences to the family I am sorry for your loss .May God grant you peace durning this difficult time.
“A thing of beauty is a joy for ever:
Its loveliness increases; it will never
Pass into nothingness; but still will keep
A bower quiet for us, and a sleep
Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.”
The words of Keats’ poem filled my thoughts when I met Bernie years ago–and saw Mike effervescent with love and happiness–so I will try to keep my head and my heart positive since she would insist on that. I have rarely seen anyone as beautiful or overflowing with JOY. She was a rare treasure put on this earth to uplift the saddened masses around her, and she did just that every day of her life…
I am absolutely heartbroken over her passing. Many have noted that the greater the love, the greater the loss. This has tragically come to fruition for everyone who adored Bernie. And, for Mike, my son’s best friend since early elementary school, I offer to take some of his pain, hoping to divide it into parcels small enough to handle–even knowing that is not possible. So, instead, I will pray that his great love will soon triumph over his loss.
The 1st picture here is
is exactly how Burnadette
looked the 1st time I
was so happy to meet her at
the Sanfilippo Chritmas
party in Jamestown, NY.
She and her kids came with my nephew Michael
Sanfilippo.The warmth
of her beautiful smile
and fun personality
let me know I would love her
forevermore.So sorry
for Mike, her kids,and
all who knew and loved her..will be missed, loved and
remembered forever.
I am so very heartbroken to hear this sad news, I hadn’t seen Bernie in years but I remember her being at our house a lot during her teenage years as she was close friends with our daughter Kristi. It was always Bernie, Kristi and Corrine hanging out together. She was such a sweet girl and I always enjoyed talking with her. May she rest in peace 😞
A light in SO MANY LIVES! I met Bernie on a Nicoles bachelorette in Nashville. We really didn’t know too many other people in the house so we both looked at each other and said, “want to be roomies?” and the rest is history!! We had so much fun together and instantly clicked. She was always kind and just a beautiful person inside and out. Thinking of you all during this time. <3
It has been a few years since the Clarke Family moved from Norwich. Their family was a very special part of our community. Gary and Liz instilled friendliness and love into their children. Bernadette as well as her siblings were always seen at community events, church gatherings and sporting competitions. Norwich lost an amazing family when they moved away. I am so grateful to see their faces again, but saddened that it at the passing of such a lovely, beautiful person, Bernadette. All my love to you all, always❤️❤️
We are so sorry for your unimaginable loss.
I am so sorry to hear of Bernadettes passing, though I did not know her as well as her parents Liz and Gary.
Liz or Gary, please call if you get a chance
Our deepest sympathies on your profound loss. May she be at peace with the Lord until everyone can be together again in heaven. From what we knew of her, she was one of those special people that shone a light on anything she was around. I’m so sorry for her children-she was way too young. Peace, Bernadette, until we meet again.
I also had the privilege of growing up with Bernadette from our days at Perry Brown. She was truly an incredible person who treated everyone with genuine kindness. My heartfelt condolences go out to her family and friends during this difficult time. She will be deeply missed.
We are so very sad to hear this news of Bernadette. Sending our sympathy and love to all of her family.
We were so deeply saddened to hear about her passing. Our hearts truly go out to you and your family during this incredibly difficult time.
She will always be remembered as such a kind, caring, and wonderful neighbor who brought warmth to everyone around her. It’s especially heartbreaking to lose someone so young after such a difficult battle.
Please know that you are in our thoughts and prayers. We hope you find strength, comfort, and peace in the love of family and the beautiful memories you shared together.
If there’s anything at all we can do, please don’t hesitate to reach out. Sending you all our love and deepest condolences.
Bernadette will always be remembered by her smile and warmth. We were always greeted with a hug and funny story. She will be dearly missed.