Lena May Bernard
Date de décès : 18 juin 2019
Lena May Bernard, age 74, We’koqma’q First Nation, passed peacefully away on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 in the Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital. Lena was born in Shubenacadie, on July 29, 1944; she was a daughter of the late Benjamin Charles and Susan Charlotte (Googoo) Toney.
She attended the Shubebacadie Indian Residential School in 1950 at the age of six years old. She was well known for her kindness and generosity towards all who were fortunate to cross her path. She was employed for twelve years with the We’koqma’q Band as the Director of Adult Care and helped many from the community who were in Palliative Care. She was a grassroots grandmother, Elder and friend to many. She had a great knowledge of traditional herbs and medicines, along with great respect for Mother Earth. She was an original member of the We’koqma’qewisKWa (The women of We’koqma’q).
Lena is survived by her daughters, Laura (Wilfred) Prosper, Karen Bernard (Allan Paul), both of Eskasoni, Linda Charlene Bernard, We’koqma’q; sons, Lloyd (Ramona) Gould, Eskasoni, Cyrus (Charlene) Bernard, We’koqma’q, Leonard (Tina) Bernard, Edmonton, AB, Charlie (Eleanor) Joe, Membertou; sisters, Juanita Paul, Grace (Joe Mike) Paul, Jacqueline Toney, all of We’koqma’q. She will be dearly missed by her special sisters, Margaret ‘Magit’ Poulette and Marie Sylliboy, both of We’koqma’q; brothers, Benedict Toney, Lloyd Toney, Albert Toney, Fabian Toney and Bartholomew Toney, all of We’koqma’q; 22 grandchildren and 14 great-grandchildren.
She was predeceased by her husband, Lawerence ‘Lunch’ Bernard; brother, John Toney and sister, Dianne Toney; grandchildren, Wilfred and Charlie Prosper.
Visitation will be after 4 p.m. Tuesday, June 25, until 11 a.m. Thursday, June 27, with a traditional prayer service in the New Community Centre, 15 Reservation Rd., We’koqma’q First Nation. Salite will follow after 12 noon, Thursday in the School Gym. A private family service will be held at a later date.
We also would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Dr. Ritter and the palliative care team. Dr. LaFrance and the nurses at the ICMH. The We’koqma’q Health Centre Nurses, Shannon, Kim, Debbie and the adult care staff.
Funeral arrangements for the late Lena May Bernard are under the care and direction of the Dennis Haverstock Funeral Chapel, Whycocomagh.
Words of comfort may be forwarded to the family at: www.haverstocks.com.
