Bernadette Webb
June 22, 1942 - December 26, 2023
Bernadette Anne Webb of Larkspur, California was the youngest child of James P. Lang and Catherine M. Lang (neé O’Neal). Known affectionately as ‘Bern’, ‘Bernie’, or ‘Grandma Bern’, she passed away peacefully at the age of 81 in Kentfield, California on Boxing Day with family by her side. She was a proud thirdgeneration San Franciscan and preceded in death by her father and mother. Her father James P. Lang was a well-known San Franciscan, spending his entire career with the San Francisco Recreation and Parks Department and leading the department as its director for several years. James P. Lang Field is located at the corner of Golden Gate Avenue and Goff Street in San Francisco and is named in his honor.
Bern attended St. Cecilia’s Grammar School in the West Portal Neighborhood. She graduated from Mercy High School and graduated from Lone Mountain College (now part of USF). After Lone Mountain, she taught grammar school at St. Convent Grammar School in San Francisco before marrying William C. Webb Sr. (Bill) in 1967. Bill and Bern settled in Larkspur in 1969 where they raised four children at their home in the Hillview Neighborhood. As her children grew, Bern joined the faculty at St. Patrick Grammar School in Larkspur where she and Bill also sent all four of their children. Bern taught at St. Patrick for many years and volunteered as a part-time aide after her official retirement.
Bern will be remembered fondly by friends and family alike for many admirable traits, including her wit, wisdom, positive outlook, remarkable strength of character, and an undying sense of fairness. She was a dedicated wife, mother, and friend who was admirably selfless, generous with her time, always willing to help, and always there to listen. Bern was so dedicated to fairness that as a teacher, she had no hesitation in handing out detentions
– only when her students deserved them, of course. This included handing out the very first and only detention (allegedly) received by her youngest daughter, Christine, when Bern was Christine’s fourth-grade teacher. Since Christine (‘Chrissy’) was the only sibling to attend St. Patrick while Bern was faculty, the actual number of detentions that would have potentially been handed out to Bern’s other children shall remain hypothetical.
In her active years, Bern had many interests, likes, and pursuits. She enjoyed family vacations to scenic and peaceful destinations including Twain Harte, Yosemite, Carmel, and Sea Ranch. She enjoyed gardening, collecting driftwood and pinecones, playing tennis, Pedro card game tournaments, and occasional outings with friends to Grass Valley. Bern loved dark chocolate and was able to savor the occasional chocolate treat despite her declining health. Bern spent her last few years cared for by the loving staff at Windchime Memory Care. She will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Bern is survived by her sister Kathleen, husband Bill Sr., daughters Kathleen Duffel, Jennifer Shabestari, Christine Hill, son Bill Jr., and seven grandchildren. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Bern’s memory to the Alzheimer’s Association or to WildCare in San Rafael.