Bernadette McKendy, 85 of 168 St Andrew St., Bathurst, died Sunday at White Rapids Manor, Fredericton Junction, New Brunswick.
Born in Dorchester Crossing, New Brunswick, she was the daughter of the late Charles and Stella (Burns) Connors.
After completing her studies at the Provincial Normal School in Fredericton she taught in the Bathurst area and
later worked at the Hotel Dieu Hospital in Bathurst. After having brought up her seven children she worked at the Nepisiguit Centennial Library, primarily in the Children's Library. In this capacity she was known to generations of young Bathurstonians as "Mrs Mac" and was remembered fondly for her regular reading during "story hour".
She was very involved in the Sacred Heart Catherdral Parish. She was active in a number of organizations including the CWL, the CNIB and the Bathurst Chapters of the Irish and Scottish Cultural Societies. She was particularly active in Aids NB.
She was predeceased by her husband, Arthur McKendy and their beloved son, John McKendy of Fredericton. She is survived by three sons, Charles (Nancy Ouellet) of Saint John, Kevin and Michael (Judy Wakeham) of Fredericton, three daughters, Margaret of Miramichi, Cecilia (Phillip MacNeil) of Fredericton, and Mary Bernadette (Bill Pickett) of Riverview. Daughter-in-law Carol Wakeham of Fredericton.
She is also survived by eleven grandchildren, Charles Jr., Liam, Angel, Colleen, Laura, Benjamin, Brian, Monica, Maureen, Nathan and Neil and many nieces and nephews. She was particularly happy in anticipation of two great grandchildren expected early in 2012. She was also predeceased by her sisters Mary and Rita and brother Joe.
Bernadette had a wide and varied circle of friends, in particular in the Bathurst area and she was as fond of them as they were of her.
The body is at Elhatton Funeral Home (www.elhatton.com), 187 St George St. Bathurst. Visitations will be on Tuesday, September 27 from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. and Wednesday from 12:30 p.m. until time of Funeral. Funeral mass will be celebrated Wednesday afternoon (September 28, 2011) at 2:30 p.m. from the Sacred Heart Cathedral, St. Andrews St., Bathurst. Donations to the White Rapids Manor, Fredericton Junction or a charity of the donor's choice would be appreciated.