Elaine (Simpson, Coy) Bernard
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of
Elaine (Simpson, Coy) Bernard at Hospice House, Fredericton on June
27, 2020. Elaine was surrounded by her family and friends
during her final days which brought her peace and comfort after a
courageous eight-year battle with Corticobasal Degeneration, a rare
neurodegenerative disorder.
Elaine is survived by her two children, Stacy Coy (Steven
Lewis) her « Rising Star » and Mark Coy (Kerstin) her
« Golden Boy ». Proud grandmother to Grady, Thomas,
and Morgan. She is survived by her three sisters, Linda
(late Danny) Grant, Jean (Randford) Gass and Carolyn Kehoe.
Nieces and Nephews, Kelly and Jeff Grant, Heather and Michael Gass and
Jack and Alana Kehoe.
Elaine is predeceased by her parents and the love of her
life, Spencer Bernard, who died in 2009.
Born in Fredericton in 1948, Elaine was the daughter of Olive
(Simpson) Forbes and Bob Simpson. She graduated from Fredericton High
School in 1967. She took great pride in raising her children
and her volunteer work as a Librarian at Liverpool Street
School. After much encouragement in this role she returned
to school to complete her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education
at St. Thomas University. She graduated with honors in her
program, an accomplishment for which she and her family were very
proud. She often said she had found her calling as an
elementary school teacher working at Connaught Street School, Harvey
Elementary and Barker’s Point School. She was a
natural teacher and loved each of her students like they were her
own. She saw teaching as a gift as she was given
an opportunity to find the strength in each of her students.
Several past students reached out to Elaine in their adult years to
express how that one year in her classroom had such a profound
positive impact on their life and helped to shape their
future.
In retirement she spent time travelling, bird watching,
gardening, entertaining and spending time with her
grandchildren. She was dealt a tough hand with her diagnosis
later in life, but she handled it with grace. She
always had a smile on her face and made the world a better and kinder
place.
The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff
at Hospice House and Elaine’s special caregivers at Shannex
who went above and beyond during the last few months to ensure that
she was able to spend time with her family which made a difficult time
easier.
A gathering for friends and family will be held at Kingswood
Lodge on Thursday, July 2nd from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm. Please
note that physical distancing restrictions will be observed during the
gathering. As a result of COVID restrictions the
Elaine’s funeral will be a private service. For
those who wish, memorial donations can be made to Hospice House
Fredericton.
www.mcadamsfh.com
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2020
Nos plus sincères sympathies à la famille et aux amis de Elaine Simpson Coy Bernard 2020..
Décès pour la Ville: Fredericton, Province: Nouveau-Brunswick