Bernadette Roy was born Oct 22 1950 to Francophone parents in Charlo New Brunswick. She was the youngest of three children. Her mother passed when she was one and a half years of age. Three years later her father remarried and three more children were born into the family.
After graduating from the George Dumont Nursing school in Moncton as an RN, Bernadette moved to British Columbia with two close friends.
She married Len Haley and they had twin boys, Steven and Keith. The family was raised in Elkford BC, a small mining town nestled on the west side of the Rocky Mountains. Her husband was an avid outdoorsman so they spent most of their recreational time outdoors camping, fishing and hunting.
When Bernadette separated from her husband after 2000, she moved to Cranbrook BC. By this time, she was suffering with significant health problems and chose Cranbrook as it has a regional hospital.
As a life long practising Catholic, she very soon joined the group of men and women who were associates of the Sisters of the Congregation of Notre-Dame. They assisted the nuns staffing the Marywood Centre, a facility specializing in retreats and spiritually oriented programmes and guidance.
Around this same time, Dances of Universal Peace were being offered in Cranbrook and Bernadette was “caught” as they say. She became a solid supporter of the Dances and attended our weekly Healing Ritual when she was well enough to do so.
She also attended a weekly prayer circle with another group as well. I was impressed by her loyalty to all these paths, foresaking none to embrace a new worthy group.
Bernadette was an ardent lover of art and created paintings of her own. I received many hand painted Christmas cards over these years. She instilled an appreciation of beauty in her sons who both became cabinet makers. Her home had fine examples of meticulously crafted furniture of which she was very proud.
She took Bayat in the SRI in 2010 after attending a dance camp on the Flathead lake just across the border.
As time passed, her health declined and she moved to Lethbridge to be close to her sons and their families. She lived within walking distance of a mall so she gave up her license and vehicle. Even with more limited ability to move around, she still managed to make some very good friends. After a particularly frightening health crisis, she was persuaded to move to the Scenic View long term care facility. This residence was in various degrees of lockdown since March 2020 and managed to keep the virus out until mid February when the Covid swept through the facility. She became infected, was hospitalized and she declined to be put on the respirator. She passed on Feb 18 11:30 am.
I was always impressed with Bernadette’s sincere ability to see the best in everyone. She loved to have fun with friends and she held the most optimistic attitude in spite of her serious health challenges. She was a kind of “Innocent”, lacking guile or deception. Because of these qualities, she had many friends who love her.
She is survived by her father Eugene, 96 years, 7mo., eldest sister Claudette, eldest brother Ronald and half siblings Daniel and George. Also mourning her passing are her sons Steven (Lindsay) and Keith (Holly) and her adored grandchildren Hannah, Joey and Bryn. All peace and blessings on her sweet soul.
—Astarte Sellars
I was so sad to hear of Shafiya Bernadette’s death from Covid. Having not seen her for some time, my memories of her are from some years ago mostly at dances and dance retreats. She was a very comfortable person to be around, and I have good heartfelt impressions. Yes, she was a sincere and gentle soul. I am glad she was in my life for those brief times.
I was given a great gift to read Astarte’s wonderful account of
Bernadette’s full and responsive life. I experienced Bernadette
as a woman of deep faith and trust in the Divine and in life’s unfolding.
She was an open hearted and generous person, ready
to give to others without thinking of a return.
On her deathbed through texts she gave her “thanks” generously.
I will always remember her joyful and free spirit…keep us in your love, dear Bernadette.