Obituary of Elaine (Simpson, Coy) Bernard

It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Elaine (Simpson, Coy) Bernard at Hospice House, Fredericton on June 27, 2020. Elaine was surrounded by her family and friends during her final days which brought her peace and comfort after a courageous eight-year battle with Corticobasal Degeneration, a rare neurodegenerative disorder. Elaine is survived by her two children, Stacy Coy (Steven Lewis) her "Rising Star" and Mark Coy (Kerstin) her "Golden Boy". Proud grandmother to Grady, Thomas, and Morgan. She is survived by her three sisters, Linda (late Danny) Grant, Jean (Randford) Gass and Carolyn Kehoe. Nieces and Nephews, Kelly and Jeff Grant, Heather and Michael Gass and Jack and Alana Kehoe. Elaine is predeceased by her parents and the love of her life, Spencer Bernard, who died in 2009. Born in Fredericton in 1948, Elaine was the daughter of Olive (Simpson) Forbes and Bob Simpson. She graduated from Fredericton High School in 1967. She took great pride in raising her children and her volunteer work as a Librarian at Liverpool Street School. After much encouragement in this role she returned to school to complete her Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education at St. Thomas University. She graduated with honors in her program, an accomplishment for which she and her family were very proud. She often said she had found her calling as an elementary school teacher working at Connaught Street School, Harvey Elementary and Barker’s Point School. She was a natural teacher and loved each of her students like they were her own. She saw teaching as a gift as she was given an opportunity to find the strength in each of her students. Several past students reached out to Elaine in their adult years to express how that one year in her classroom had such a profound positive impact on their life and helped to shape their future. In retirement she spent time travelling, bird watching, gardening, entertaining and spending time with her grandchildren. She was dealt a tough hand with her diagnosis later in life, but she handled it with grace. She always had a smile on her face and made the world a better and kinder place. The family would like to extend special thanks to the staff at Hospice House and Elaine’s special caregivers at Shannex who went above and beyond during the last few months to ensure that she was able to spend time with her family which made a difficult time easier. A gathering for friends and family will be held at Kingswood Lodge on Thursday, July 2nd from 4:00 pm-7:00 pm. Please note that physical distancing restrictions will be observed during the gathering. As a result of COVID restrictions, Elaine’s funeral will be a private service. For those who wish, memorial donations can be made to Hospice House Fredericton.