The Tempest

Issue date: 3/5/08 Section: News

Media Credit: Courtesy of Mary Shelton-Cato Student worker Damisha Bernstine was described as "wonderful."

Damisha Bernstine, an office manager for the ethnic studies program and student, passed away Feb. 19 due to unknown causes.

The computer science major had a history of epilepsy, which doctors could never determine the exact cause of.

In an unfortunate twist, her family suffered a second loss during the funeral. One of the pallbearers suffered a heart attack after placing her in the hearse. Nathaniel Bernstein was Damisha's uncle, and 55 years old at the time of his death. He was described as having a close relationship with the deceased.

Damisha's mother, Renee Evans, couldn't believe all that had happened in the last couple of weeks. She found Damisha lying unconscious in her apartment.

"When I saw her there on the floor, death was the last thing on my mind," she said. "I thought she had suffered another seizure."

It'll be at least a handful of weeks until an official cause of death is known.

Ethnic studies coordinator Sanford Wright was extremely saddened by her loss.

"Absolutely wonderful person, positive attitude, and went well beyond the requirements of the job," he said. "Ethnic studies was a real part of her life. She really enjoyed it although she was a computer science major, which is interesting...She took her job seriously…Sanford Wright hasn't accepted the fact that she's no longer with us."

Wright described her as having a high moral standard and attended churches in the area as often as she could.

She is survived by her mother who lives in Vallejo, and a very large extended family, including 14 brothers and sisters.

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