Elizabeth Ann Berninger Requena of Wilmington, formerly a longtime resident of Oak Bluffs, died peacefully at home on March 29. She was 71.

She was born on February 25, 1952 in the Bronx, N.Y., the cherished daughter of the late John and Barbara Walter Berninger. She was raised and educated in New York and graduated from Horace Greeley High School in Chappaqua, N.Y. as part of the class of 1970.

She earned a bachelor of science degree in sociology and anthropology from Long Island University. Her thirst for knowledge continued throughout her life; she was an avid reader and was fascinated with history, archeology and her family genealogy.

Elizabeth married and settled in New York, where she started a family; in 1979 she relocated her family to Martha’s Vineyard. Family was her priority; she was a very devoted and loving Mom to her children and treasured the time she spent with her grandchildren. They enjoyed countless holidays, celebrations and family vacations together, making many wonderful memories throughout the years. She was no stranger to hard work in order to provide for her family. The job she found most fulfilling was as a teller at Martha’s Vineyard Bank. She knew most of her customers personally and enjoyed relationships with her co-workers. She was very devoted to her job; she was trustworthy and punctual, all attributes that made her a great asset to the bank.

When she retired, she volunteered at the Martha’s Vineyard Community Services Thrift Shop in Vineyard Haven where she enjoyed meeting new people and helping customers to find “their treasures” on the Vineyard.

In her spare time, Elizabeth enjoyed going for long walks with her beloved dog, Gypsi. She loved the ocean and spent countless hours at the beach. She enjoyed collecting antiques and constructing puzzles, the more challenging the better. She looked forward to visits from family and friends.

As her health declined she moved to Wilmington in 2019 to be closer to her children and grandchildren.

She will be fondly remembered as a very independent woman with a quiet demeanor and a heart of gold. She loved her family and friends unconditionally. She will be forever missed by all who knew and loved her.

Elizabeth was the devoted mother of Kimberely Lovell and her husband William of Wilmington, Ralph Requena Jr. of Alexandria, La. and Jeremy Berninger and his wife Jennifer of Bradford. She was the loving “Nana” of Caroline Requena, Connor Lovell, Molly Lovell, Scarlet Berninger and Rowan Berninger.

She was the dear sister of Susan Pillard of Texas, the late John Berninger, Thomas Berninger of Oak Bluffs and Joanne Lapierre and her husband Rick of Vermont. She was the special aunt of Michael Berninger of Edgartown and is also survived by nieces, nephews and friends.

A Mass of Christian burial was held at St. Thomas of Villanova Church in Wilmington on April 1.

Memorial contributions can be made to The Red Stocking Fund, P.O. Box 600, Edgartown, MA 02539 or online at theredstockingfund.org.

To leave a message of condolence for the family, visit Nichols Funeral Home at nicholsfuneralhome.com.