Adele "Lina" (Bernardi) Guerra

It is with profound sadness that we announce that Adele "Lina" Guerra, 89, of Sandusky, passed away peacefully early Thursday morning, April 7, 2022, at home with her family at her side. 

She was born on May 16,1932, in Coriano, Italy, to the late Egisto and Maria (Comanducci) Bernardi.  Lina grew up on her parents farm in the Republic of San Marino, in the historic village of Montegiardino. She married Marino Guerra on August 4,1951. Marino emigrated to the United States in February 1952 and was joined in 1954 by Lina and their infant daughter, traveling aboard the Andrea Doria. Lina and Marino later became proud naturalized United States citizens. 

Lina was able to work from home until her children were in school, making pasta for the former Renandi’s Restaurant and as a seamstress for various clothing stores. She was later employed at Providence Hospital as a seamstress for over 25 years until her retirement.

Lina enjoyed monthly luncheons with her girlfriends, keeping up a bountiful garden, cooking, dancing the polka with Marino (often dizzy and with eyes closed, but trusting Marino’s lead!), sewing, traveling, playing bocce, and spending time with her family. She especially loved sharing stories about her beloved San Marino and teaching her granddaughters how to make traditional Sammarinese dishes. She was a devout Catholic and member of Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, the Italian-American Beneficial Club, the Ladies Auxiliary, and the Comunità Sammarinese di Detroit. Lina was a small woman with a big presence who loved her espressos with just the right amount of Sambuca. She will be remembered as a beautiful, hard-working, generous, and fun-loving woman.  She and her husband readily shared the rewards of their garden and their homemade wine. A visit to their home - which they built themselves with friends in 1968 - always included love and laughter, more food than one could ever eat, loud Italian music, espressos with “Italian moonshine,” stories of the motherland, and card games. They were part of a large community of Sammarinese who emigrated to Sandusky, looking after one another and keeping the traditions of the old country alive.

       Lina is survived by her daughter, Mirella G. Pardee of Toledo and two sons, Leo L. Guerra (Sue Dumas) of Sandusky and David M. Guerra of Henderson, NV; nine grandchildren: Branton (Julie) Pardee, Garret Pardee, Maresa (Matthew) Kime, Roderick Pardee, Alanna Pardee (Ben Burghart), Dr. Gabriella Pardee (Dr. Sean Griffin), Ian (Annette) Guerra, Tony Guerra (Billie Jo Bonderer), Emily (Brad) Shearn; her 13 great-grandchildren: Colette and Alistair Pardee, Adelina, Everett and Maxton Kime, Kyle, Jacob and Michael Guerra, Sophia and Isabella Guerra, Eli, Jaxon and Charlee Shearn; a brother, Sergio (Anna) Bernardi of Garden City, NY; a sister, Adriana Vandi of Rimini, Italy; and her nieces and nephews in New York and San Marino.

       She was preceded in death by her parents; baby brother and sister; older brother, Secondo Bernardi; her husband of 60 years, Marino Guerra; her newborn daughter, Nazzarena; and her son-in-law, John K. Pardee III.

       Visitation will be held on Wednesday morning, April 20, 2022, from 8:30 am until time of prayers at 9:30 am at the David F. Koch Funeral and Cremation Services, 520 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 am at Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 510 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, Fr. Monte Hoyles officiating.  Entombment will be in Meadow Green Memorial Park, Huron, OH.

       In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions be made in her memory to Sts. Peter and Paul Catholic Church, 510 Columbus Avenue, Sandusky, OH 44870, Stein Hospice Service, Inc., 1200 Sycamore Line, Sandusky, OH 44870 or an organization of the donors choice. 

   Your memories and words of comfort may be shared with Lina's family at davidfkoch.com. 

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Adele "Lina" (Bernardi) Guerra, please visit our floral store.