Helen Lindstrom Bernard, 97, of New Iberia, Louisiana, passed away peacefully in her home on January 23, 2017. She was born December 4, 1919 in Worcester, Massachusetts, the youngest child of Abbie and William Lindstrom. Her life was devoted to enriching the lives of all who knew her through music, sheer love of life, and an unfailing generosity of spirit.
Helen began playing piano as a child and played for over 90 years. In high school she played for silent movies at the local movie theater. Though she desired to pursue music after high school, the depression made nursing school a more practical choice. She became a neonatal intensive care nurse. At the start of WWII she enlisted in the Navy and served as a nurse in Boston. It was there she met Harry W. Bernard, while he was on leave from the Pacific. They were married in 1946 and moved to Louisiana when Harry began medical school. They had been married for 57 years at the time of his death.
After settling in New Iberia, Helen became involved with the First United Methodist Church and would share her love of music with the community for over 40 years. She was one of the founding members of Community Concert Association and IPAL. She helped out with elementary school productions of many musicals and continued as pianist and costume designer and sewer extraordinaire for many musical productions at New Iberia Senior High. She will be remembered for her love of music, fantastic parties, passionate card playing, and the thousands of loaves of Swedish coffee bread that she baked for everyone she knew.
Left to honor Helen and remember her love are Helen’s five children; Denise Bernard Van Leuven, Gina Bernard Doerle, Craig Allen Bernard, J. Scott Bernard, Sharon Bernard Clarke, and fourteen grandchildren.
Helen was preceded in death by her husband Dr. Harry W. Bernard; parents, William Franklin Lindstrom and Abbie Hagerstrom Lindstrom; and siblings Phyllis L. Smith, Edwin W. Lindstrom, Erwin W. Lindstrom, and Marilyn L. Braidwood.
Visitation will start at 9:00 am followed by services at 11:00 am at The First United Methodist Church on February 4th, 2017. A private interment service at Rosehill Cemetery will follow.
The family ask in lieu of Flowers a donation to First United Methodist Church in the name of Helen L. Bernard
To view on-line obituary, video tribute and sign the guest register, please visit www.evangelinefuneralhome.com.
Evangeline Funeral Homes, Inc. of New Iberia is in charge of arrangements.
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