Bernadine M. Cochrane

Bernadine M. Cochrane, 81, of Waynesboro, VA, died Tuesday, Feb. 9, 2010, at Shenandoah House in Fishersville. She was born Jan. 31, 1929, in McMechen, WV, a daughter of the late Wilford and Emma Williamson McCutcheon. She was raised in Roncerverte, WV.

Bernadine's enthusiasm for singing and great music was an integral component to the vitality of choral music in Waynesboro. She started as the choir director at Westminster Presbyterian Church, with high-quality performances of major choral works. She was later asked to teach in the prestigious choral program in Waynesboro public schools, where she taught from 1974-84. Before moving to Virginia, she taught music in the Baltimore and New Jersey school systems. She was a frequent soloist for her college choirs and for various choral societies. She graduated in music education from West Virginia University.

Surviving are her husband, Thomas J. Cochrane, Jr., of Waynesboro; two daughters, Amy Cochrane and husband, David Granger, of Geneseo, NY, and Bobbie Cochrane and husband, Daniel Ford, of Chappaqua, NY; three sisters, Anna Rae Rasmussen of Baltimore, Vonceil Farr of Morgantown, WV, and Georgia Mae Browm of Mobile, AL; four grandchildren, Elliot Cochrane Ford, Wesley Alexander and Sydney Elizabeth Ford and Isabel Cochrane Granger; and a number of nieces and nephews.
A celebration of the life and ministries of Bernadine Cochrane was held Saturday, April 10, 2010, at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Waynesboro by Stanley McCutcheon Farr. Burial was private in Morgantown, WV.

Bernadine was a descendant of John McCutcheon of Augusta County, VA through son, Robert and Margaret (Callison) McCutcheon.