FORT FAIRFIELD – Effie Y. Bernard, 96, wife of the late Louis F. Bernard, passed away Tuesday evening, May 10, 2011, at a Presque Isle health care facility, after an extended illness. She was born Jan. 15, 1915, in Soldier Pond, daughter of Joseph Batiste and Delia (Michaud) Duprey.
She was educated in the Ashland school system and was married to Louis F. Bernard Aug. 7, 1935. After moving to Fort Fairfield, Effie became a dedicated communicant of Parish of the Precious Blood, St. Denis Catholic Church, Fort Fairfield, and a member of the Fort Fairfield Daughters of Isabella, Santa Maria Circle No. 427, where she was a life member. A dedicated homemaker, Effie also had worked outside her home at the A & P Processing Plant, Fort Fairfield, for a number of years. Her family will be eternally grateful to Effie, because it was she who instilled upon them the gift of her strong Catholic faith.
In addition to her parents, Mrs. Bernard was predeceased by her husband, Louis, Sept. 11, 1998; one grandson, Michael Bernard; seven brothers, Robert, Maurice, Levi, Luther, Louis, Wallace and Rene Duprey; and four sisters, Mary LaForge, Lillian Bedore, Eva LeFleur and Antoinette Holmes. She is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Roger and Marcella Bernard, David and Adrienne Bernard, all of Fort Fairfield; three daughters and sons-in-law, Linda and Robert Romano of Mesa, Ariz., Donna and Alfred Greenlaw of Orrington and Bonnie Cunningham of Augusta; 13 grandchildren and spouses, Bethany and Ken Stratton of Fort Fairfield, Michelle Turner of Caribou, Sean and Joan Bernard, Joseph and Penny Bernard, and David Bernard, all of Fort Fairfield, Jennifer and Ken Salemi of Arizona, Lori and Daniel Donlin of New Jersey, Erin and Jason Fish of Brewer, Meryl Greenlaw, Taylor Greenlaw, both of Bangor, Kellie Cunningham of New Jersey, Michael Cunningham and Paige Trask, both of Augusta; 13 great-grandchildren, numerous nieces and nephews. The Bernard family expresses their sincere gratitude to her extended family at Presque Isle Nursing Home’s Personal Enrichment Center for the many years of care and happiness provided to Effie during her stay there.
Friends may call 7-9 p.m. Friday, May 13, at Giberson-Dorsey Funeral Home, 144 Main St., Fort Fairfield, where a vigil service will be conducted 7:30 p.m. A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated 11 a.m. Saturday, May 14, at Parish of the Precious Blood, St. Denis Catholic Church, 147 Main St., Fort Fairfield, with the Rev. Aaron Damboise, celebrant. Interment will be held after at St. Denis Catholic Cemetery, Fort Fairfield. A time of continued fellowship with refreshments will be held after the interment at Knights of Columbus Hall, Council No. 1753, 260 Main St., Fort Fairfield. Those who wish may contribute in memory of Mrs. Bernard to Parish of the Precious Blood Memorial Fund, P.O. Box 625, Caribou, ME 04736. Envelopes will be available at the funeral home.