The daughter of Joseph and Martha Buckman Mattingly, Lucy was born Oct. 19, 1891, in Morganfield, Ky. Her father belonged to the pioneer Mattingly family from Maryland, and her mother to the Buckman family from Maryland. Lucy had a loving home life in a truly Catholic family. She attended St. Ann Elementary School. She came to Mount Saint Joseph Academy for high school. After completing her freshman year, she entered the novitiate at Mount Saint Joseph and received the Ursuline habit on August 25, 1908. Lucy received the name Sister Mary Bernadette.
Sister Bernadette’s apostolate began with her assignment as Sister Mary Irene Payne’s assistant in the Motherhouse/Academy laundry. She was noted for a special talent for ironing the Sisters’ linen forehead bands, guimpes and bonnet linings. Sister Bernadette also did beautiful needlework, embroidery and mending. She was always ready to help with community celebrations — decorating cakes, whatever added a touch of beauty and surprise to the occasion. After 39 years at Mount Saint Joseph as supervisor of the laundry, Sister Bernadette was assigned to Plattsmouth, Neb., but her heart was in Kentucky. She returned and served as housekeeper in the convent for Sisters teaching at Stanley, Owensboro (Blessed Mother), Hardinsburg, Flaherty, and Lyndon (St. Margaret Mary). Sister added a special atmosphere to the convent life preparing delicious meals, using her artistic gifts to beautify the house, and spending hours of prayer for the success of their work in the school.
St. Bartholomew in Buechel, Ky., was her last mission assignment. On February 14, 1967, Sister Bernadette had been busy with her evening duties and was late in leaving the house for the evening Mass. She was seriously injured when struck by a car as she hurried to cross Buechel Bank Road to get to the church on time. Her injuries proved to be fatal. Sister Bernadette died at St. Joseph Infirmary five days later. Her remains arrived at Mount Saint Joseph on February 21. Wake services were held that evening. Msgr. Albert Thompson, chaplain, and Msgr. Edward Russell concelebrated the funeral Mass on February 22. With her nephews as pallbearers, Sister Bernadette’s remains were carried to the convent cemetery for burial.