Bernadette Maucher McKay, 88, passed away peacefully on February 4, 2026. She was born on May 16, 1937, in Wilmington, Delaware, the middle child of two brothers whom she cherished as lifelong friends.

A graduate of St. Joseph College in Emmitsburg, Maryland, in 1958, Bernadette dedicated 44 years to nursing and education—a vocation she regarded as her highest calling. Her work was distinguished and diverse: she began as a public health nurse, later worked in the intensive care unit and emergency department, and ultimately became a nurse practitioner and educator at UTMB Galveston, where she taught graduate courses and mentored future generations of nurses. Outside of the hospital she enjoyed cooking, quilting, and her garden.

Bernadette is preceded in death by her husband of 44 years, Edward McKay, her son Edward McKay, daughter Mary McKay, daughter in law, Jerri McKay, and her brother, James Maucher.

She is survived by her son, Charles McKay, her brother, Charles Maucher, and her grandchildren, Michael McKay and Jennifer McKay. Her family is grateful to the outstanding nurses at HCA Heart Hospital in Clear Lake, Texas, who cared for her in her final days with the same compassion and dedication she gave to so many throughout her lifetime.

A visitation will be held from 5:00pm until 8:00pm on Monday, February 16, 2026 with a prayer vigil at 6:30pm, at Carnes Funeral Home 3100 Gulf Freeway, Texas City, TX 77591. A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, February 17, 2026, at the Shrine of the True Cross 300 FM 517 Rd E, Dickinson, TX 77539. Procession and burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery in Galveston.