Marie-Denise Bernier, obituary

Tue, 01/09/2018 - 8:45pm

THOMASTON – Marie-Denise Bernier, 64, was called up to Heaven to sing her song, Wednesday, December 20, 2017.  

She was born October 5, 1953 at Ft. Devens, Massachusetts, to Albert and Margaret (Raney) Bernier.  She is predeceased by her parents and her brother Robert Bernier, all of Thomaston, and brother Raymond Bernier of New Bedford, Massachusetts.  She is survived by her siblings, Michelle Bernier and Albert Bernier of Thomaston; her sister-in-law Claudia (Camerao) Bernier; nephews, John and Nicholas of New Bedford, Massachusetts; niece and nephew Carrie (Bernier) and Eugene Philbrook; great nieces and nephews, Genevieve, Emma Grace, Asher, and Jude of Surry; God-children Michelle, Brianna, Ashley, and Dale; long time friend Sister Kathleen Smith of The Sisters of Mercy in Portland, Maine; and good friend Skip Radcliff of South Thomaston.

Marie-Denise was a ma tante blanche of her generation by her administering to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of her family and community.  She loved to sing and had been a past member of Down East Singers.  It was through karaoke that she would practice her ministry.  She loved listening to music, from The Monkeys and The Beatles to the Monday Night Blues and Blues Festival.  She was an avid reader of history, mysteries, and science fiction.  She had been a past member of the Shakespeare society.  She was a communicate of the St. John Baptist Episcopal Church in Thomaston, Maine.  She had been active in the Vestry, Altar Guild, Christmas Fair, the Outreach Committee, and Episcopal for Ministry.  Of special joy was spending time this past summer at Bon Repose where she could find solace and self reflection.

Her journey took her from New England to Louisiana, to the Andros Islands in the Bahamas, to the Smoky Mountains, to Prince Edward Island, and Cape Breton.  Although her past several years were times of physical pain, surgeries, chemo, and a terminal illness, she still found time to laugh and help her sister and brother cope and process in her home care.  

Now her pain is gone.  Forever shall her Soul be refreshed!

A Celebration of Life will take place at 1 p.m. on January 20, 2018, at the St. John the Baptist Episcopal Church in Thomaston, Maine.  There will be a Karaoke Tribute.  At a future date her ashes will be placed with her parents in West Medway, Massachusetts.  

Arrangements are in the care of Burpee, Carpenter & Hutchins Funeral Home.  To share a memory with Marie-Denise’s family, visit their Book of Memories at www.bchfh.com.