Bernadette Mary (Brennan) Herkert

Bernadette Mary Herkert passed away peacefully on January 24, 2026.

Bernadette “Dette” Herkert was born to Geraldine Veronica Dunn Brennan and William Patrick Brennan, Sr. on December 29, 1942 in Bronx, NY.  On November 30, 1963 at St. Columbanus Church in Peekskill, NY she married August Charles Herkert, who predeceased her.  She was a devoted wife to Augie, married 51 years.

She was the fourth of eight children in the Brennan family and was predeceased by her parents and siblings Barbara, Peter, William Jr. and Pamela.  Survivors include her sisters Beverley Manco of Moriah Center, NY, (Dominick), Geraldine Brennan of Ossining, NY and Jacqueline Brennan of Ardsley, NY.  She was a loving aunt to many nieces and nephews.

During her career, Dette worked at AT&T, Prudential Insurance and then moved to New Jersey where she worked for Walmart.

She enjoyed cooking, house plants and needlepoint but more than anything she loved being part of a big family, participating in every gathering and was always the first to arrive.  She will be dearly missed.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered Thursday, February 5, 2026 11:00am at St. Maximilian Kolbe RC Church, 130 St. Maximilian Lane, Toms River, NJ 08757.  Interment to follow at Crest Haven Memorial Park, Clifton, NJ.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Timothy E. Ryan Home for Funerals, 145 St. Catherine Blvd., Toms River.

In lieu of flowers donations in memory of Dette may be made to a charity of choice.

Condolences may be sent to the family by visiting www.ryanfuneralhome.com.