South Ryegate, VT- Bernardine Alice Eastman, 88, formerly of South Ryegate, died on Friday, March 12, 2010, at the Grafton County Nursing Home in North Haverhill, NH. Bernardine was born in St. Johnsbury, VT, on October 29, 1921, to Bernard and Alice (Morrison) Eastman. She graduated from Groton High School where she enjoyed athletics, especially basketball. She also played the clarinet in school and continued to play with the George McLure Student Band. Following high school she attended Vermont College where she took secretarial classes. After college and during World War II, she spent two years in New York City working. Bernardine always enjoyed her summers on Groton Pond. She was a member of the South Ryegate Presbyterian Church and the South Ryegate Ladies Aid. She always maintained a positive attitude and will be remembered for her ever-present smile. Bernardine was predeceased by her husband, Americo Louis Chet Rosa on May 26, 1962, and by her second husband Harold Lee Tom Eastman on May 15, 1975; and her brothers, Dr. Cyrus D. Eastman and Seth Eastman. She is survived by her daughter Gayle Adele Darling and husband Jeff of Barnet, VT; two sons, Chester Bernard Rosa of St. Petersburg, FL, and Cyrus Eastman Rosa and wife Linda of The Villages, FL; several grandchildren and great grandchildren; nieces, nephews, and cousins; and her companion and caregiver, Richard Evans of Groton, VT. There will be no calling hours. The funeral service will be on Tuesday, March 16, 2010, at 2PM at the South Ryegate Presbyterian Church, South Ryegate, VT. Burial will be in the spring in Hillside Cemetery, South Ryegate. Memorial contributions may be made to the South Ryegate Presbyterian Church, c/o Mrs. Gloria Welch, 419 Stone Road, South Ryegate, VT 05069 or to the Grafton County Nursing Home, 3855 Dartmouth College Highway, North Haverhill, NH 03774.