BANGOR – Geraldine “Gerry” (O’Kane) Bernard, 77, wife of Louis “Pete” Bernard, passed away peacefully Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2011, at home. She was born April 13, 1933, in Rumford, and lived in Bangor since 1966.
Gerry was a graduate of Stephens High, Class of 1951, and married Pete, Oct. 9, 1954. She enjoyed bowling with her team, monthly “birthday lunches” with sister-in-law, Doris O’Kane and friends, sharing laughs over coffee with Bib and Walt, Dottie and Dana, Mary, Pat and Sylvia, and spending time with her family – especially her five grandchildren. Gerry was a longtime member of St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Bangor. She will be remembered as a devoted and caring wife, sister, mother, nana and friend by all who knew her.
Mrs. Bernard was predeceased by her parents, James and Geraldine O’Kane; brother, Bernard; and sisters, Barbara and Nancy. She is survived by her husband of 56 years, Pete of Bangor; daughters, Gerryann Bernard of Glenburn, and Brenda B. Vogt and husband, Greg, of Audubon, N.J.; sons, Tom of Glenburn, and Tim and wife, Melissa, of Bangor; five grandchildren, Kelly, Brian, Kevin, Callie and Martina; many nieces and nephews. The family thanks the caring staff on Grant 5, Eastern Maine Medical Center palliative team and Hospice of Eastern Maine.
A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 19, at St. Paul the Apostle Parish, St. Mary’s Catholic Church, 769 Ohio St., Bangor. Those who wish to remember Gerry in a special way may make gifts in her memory to Hospice of Eastern Maine at www.emhospice.org or HOEM, Healthcare Charities, P.O. Box 931, Bangor, ME 04402-0931. A service of Brookings-Smith, Bangor. Condolences to the family may be expressed at
www.BrookingsSmith.com.