Bernita Rae ''Bernie'' Salamendra

Dundee: Bernita Rae ''Bernie'' Salamendra, age 79, of Dundee, passed away Friday September 4, 2026 at Soldiers & Sailors Memorial Hospital, in Penn Yan, NY.

Friends are invited to calling hours from 4-7 pm Wednesday Sept. 9, at the Baird Funeral Home, 36 Water Street, Dundee; where her funeral service will be held at 12:00 noon Thursday Sept. 10. Burial will follow in Hillside Cemetery, Dundee.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Dundee Fire Company, 12 Union St., Dundee, NY 14837.

‘Bernie’ as everyone knew her was born September 2, 1947 in Blossburg, PA, a daughter of the late Roy and Mary Ida (Goodrich) Doolittle. On Nov. 29, 1969 in Dundee, NY she married the love of her life and soul mate Joseph R. Salamendra. They welcomed their only son the following year. She worked various part time jobs while being a devoted wife, and protective mother. She eventually became a fulltime assistant working alongside her husband at his business Joe's Auto Body, on Saunders St. in Dundee, NY. Bernie helped her husband in almost every facet of the business, from accounting, billing, claims, and every other task that a second set of hands required. She was the face at the front door of the shop. She was Joe’s Guardian Angel; people knew that to get to Joe, you had to get past Bernie. Together they were a team, and were the best at what they did. Like many successful teams, when the most valuable player is lost, the team falls apart, and that’s exactly what happened when Joe passed away on his birthday Feb. 16, 2018.

Her greatest joy was taking care of her family and any friends in need. Some of her favorite memories were going to the races in Watkins every year and rooting for the Earnhardts.

She is survived by her son Joseph R. (Carmela) Salamendra; and only grandchild Cody Salamendra; 2 special nieces Mary Jane Gaylord, and Sherry (Tony) Ventra; her very dear friend Norva Wood who helped out so much with her care after Joe passed; and too many more nieces, nephews, and cousins to list.

Besides her wonderful husband of 48 years; and her parents Roy Doolittle and Mary Hitchens; she was predeceased by all her siblings 3 brothers, and 5 sisters.

Online condolences can be sent by visiting bairdfuneralhomedundee.com.