Bernadine Giannini Resso, age 88, was born on June 19, 1938, to Alyce Pearce Giannini and Orlando “Babe” Giannini in Eureka, California. She passed away on September 27, 2026.

Bernadine attended St. Bernard’s Elementary School and graduated from Eureka High School in 1956. She graduated from University of the Pacific (UOP) in Stockton in 1960 with a music major and received her teaching credential. She was an accomplished pianist and vocalist and sang at many varied events in the Eureka area.

She met and married her husband and the father of her five children at UOP. He preceded her in death in 1977.

She taught school in Modesto before returning to Eureka in the 1970s when she and her mother purchased Ber-Lynn’s Apparel at the Harris Street Mall. Bernadine later moved to Rohnert Park and opened another Ber-Lynn’s Apparel. She owned and operated that dress shop for 18 years.

She moved back to Eureka in 2000 where she worked as a substitute teacher.

From a very young age, Bernadine was involved in singing, dancing, and piano recitals. This would set the stage for her whole life as an outgoing and fun person. She grew up singing at the piano with her father and that became a normal routine with her own kids. She developed strong lungs for laughing, singing, and yelling, if necessary. After all, she was raising five kids as a single parent. For many years Thanksgiving was celebrated at Bernadine’s house with her extended family and always included entertainment from her at the piano. Bernadine loved having lunch out with her girlfriends and playing bridge in a fun group that rotated hosting the gatherings. Even as she aged and needed extra care at home, her caregivers loved her sense of humor, her continuous gratitude for their help, and funny faces she would give to get a laugh. Bernadine won over everyone she met with her unique style that could sometimes be interpreted as overly direct.

Bernadine was preceded in death by her son, Mark Resso, daughter, Laura Resso Aukland, her brother and sister-in-law, Nick and Judy Giannini, daughter-in-law, Vivian Resso and son-in-law, James Jones. She is survived by her children Michael Resso (Helen), Alyson Jones and Bernadine Holman (Kent); her grandchildren Michelle and Megan Resso, Angela (Cole) Newell, Kathleen (Tim) Hall, Victoria Auckland, and Justin and Jennifer Jones.  Bernadine has six great grandchildren, Mia and Audrey Resso, Willow Newell, Constance and Aivlynn Hall, and Sapphire Jones.

She is also survived by her brother Ralph Giannini and his wife Nancy; her nephew John Giannini and his daughter Alexis of Arizona; and her nephew and niece Matt and Linda Giannini and their daughter Gianna.

Please join us as we celebrate the life of Bernadine Giannini Resso.

Together we will honor her love, kindness, faith, and the countless memories she shared with family and friends.

Following the service, family and friends are invited to gather in the Pinochi Room next door for fellowship and refreshments.

“Those we love never truly leave us. They live on in the stories we share and the lives they touched.”

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The obituary above was submitted on behalf of Bernadine Resso’s loved ones. The Lost Coast Outpost runs obituaries of Humboldt County residents at no charge. See guidelines here. Email news@lostcoastoutpost.com.