Donna Frances Bernhard

It is with loving hearts that we announce the passing of Donna Frances Bernhard on April 8th 2025, age 77, at WRHN Freeport, Kitchener Ontario. Loving parent with Paul Bernhard to Jean-Paul, Danny, and Marc, and to daughter's-in-law Roxanne, Jill and Caitlin. Proud grandmother of Ayla, Annike, Lucas, Georgia, Shawn and Odessa. Dear sister of Debbie and brother Dennis. Donna was the beloved second child of her late mother and father, Herbert and Bernice Lucas. She will be dearly missed by all friends and extended family.

Donna was raised in Montreal’s Notre-Dame-de-Grace neighbourhood and attended Marymount High School. She worked briefly as a fashion model and as a laboratory assistant. She often talked about her time with the Montreal Alouettes Larkettes, and training her beloved dog Sam in retriever trials. Her love of nature was instilled in her from a young age during summers spent with her parents and grandparents in Ste. Adele.

After marriage, Donna dedicated herself to homemaking and raising her three boys to be strong, caring and independent. Once they were older, she worked in a variety of jobs she loved, including: running her own day care centre, advertising sales, property management and personal support work. As a hockey-mom, weekends were often spent negotiating seemingly impossible practice and game schedules. She could always be counted on to be there when it mattered.

Once her children were grown, Donna reconnected with the personal things she loved: the outdoors with her dogs, reading, gardening, music and meditation. She took several memorable canoe camping trips to Temagami and Algonquin Park. At the same time, she was indispensable in helping to raise her six grandchildren and caring for her aging mother.

Donna taught us many things: the importance of family, the power of presence, the essence of letting go. She was simultaneously fiercely independent and loyal. She often talked of the importance of living without regrets, and of following your own path.

Arrangements entrusted to Gilbert MacIntyre & Son Funeral Home. As expressions of sympathy, donations made to the Canadian Cancer Society and the Guelph Humane Society would be greatly appreciated by the family. Donations and condolences can be made online at: www.gilbertmacintyreandson.com