LENA MAY BERNARD

A private family service for the late Lena May Bernard, 74, We’koqma’q First Nation, will be held at a later date. Mrs. Bernard died June 18, 2019, in Inverness Consolidated Memorial Hospital. Born July 29, 1944, in Shubenacadie, she was a daughter of the late Benjamin Charles and Susan Charlotte (Googoo) Toney. She attended the Shubenacadie Indian Residential School in 1950 at the age of six. She was employed for 12 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). She is survived by three daughters, Laura (Wilfred) Prosper, Karen Bernard (Allan Paul), both of Eskasoni; Linda Charlene Bernard, We’koqma’q; four sons, Lloyd (Ramona) Gould, Eskasoni; Cyrus (Charlene) Bernard, We’koqma’q; Leonard (Tina) Bernard, Edmonton, Alberta; Charlie (Eleanor) Joe, Membertou; 22 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; three sisters, Juanita Paul, Grace (Joe Mike) Paul, Jacqueline Toney, all of We’koqma’q; two special sisters, Margaret ‘Magit’ Poulette, Marie Sylliboy, both of We’koqma’q; five brothers, Benedict Toney, Lloyd Toney, Albert Toney, Fabian Toney, Bartholomew Toney, all of We’koqma’q. She was predeceased by her husband, Lawerence ‘Lunch’ Bernard; two grandchildren, Wilfred and Charlie Prosper; brother, John Toney; sister, Dianne Toney. Online condolences: www.haverstocks.com