HARTFORD – Theresa “Terri” L. Bernier, 50, passed away Monday afternoon, Aug. 22, 2011, with family at her side at Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston, after a courageous four-year battle with Hodgkin’s disease. She was born Nov. 26, 1960, in Lincoln, a daughter of the late Bruce Lancaster of Mattawamkeag and Janis Lancaster of Lebanon. She had a special place in her heart for her mother’s fiance, Everett Murphy.
Before moving to Turner and then Hartford, Terri resided in Mattawamkeag, graduating from Mattanawcook Academy in 1978. She then worked for Human Resources of Maine and eventually earned her Bachelor of Science degree in mental health and human services in 2007. Terri had a beautiful heart and always helped others in need until her illness forced her to retire. She enjoyed her beautiful flower gardens and was always so proud to show everyone. Terri loved to entertain in her home on the holidays and also loved painting and finding treasures in the antique shops. She and her husband, Paul, whom she married Sept. 6, 2003, in Turner, spent many happy years together at their home on Canton Lake with their favorite dogs, Mannix and Charley. They also enjoyed spending time on their private island getaway with fully equipped cabin and functioning lighthouse on Canton Lake, always hoping to eventually spend their retirement years there later on. Terri was a loving, devoted and hard-working wife, mother and grandmother, who will be dearly missed.
She leaves her loving husband, whom she loved so dearly, Paul Bernier of Hartford; a daughter, Kristi Cottle and her fiance, Scott Harmon, of Auburn; a son, Kyle Cottle and his fiancee, Nancy Palko, of Canton; a grandson, Braden Cottle of Canton, who was the light of her life; two more grandchildren soon to be born; two sisters, Susan Hale Courtney and her husband, Kent, of Hanover, Pa., and Stacey Twist and husband, Terry; nephew, Logan of Medway; nephew, Jeremy Hale and his wife, Heather, and family of Caribou;
a niece, Misty Haskins and husband, Shawn, of Springfield, Ore.; many aunts, uncles and cousins. Terri also leaves her special and dear friends, who gave her their love, strength and support throughout this experience in her life.
Visitation will be held 6-8 p.m. Friday at The Fortin Group Funeral Home, Auburn, where a funeral service will take place 11 a.m. Saturday. Committal and interment will be afterward at Pine Grove Cemetery, Route 108, Canton. A service of The Fortin Group Funeral Home, Cremation and Monument Service, 217 Turner St., Auburn. You are invited to share your thoughts, condolences and fond memories with Terri’s family by visiting their guest book at
www.thefortingroupauburn.com.