Shelley Ann Bernard

BERNARD, SHELLEY ANN (NEE SCHOOLEY) October 6, 1952-November 13, 2025. With heavy hearts, we announce the sudden death of Shelley Bernard on November 13, 2025 at her home in Dunnville, Ontario at the age of seventy-three.

She was born in Port Colborne, Ontario to parents Bertha and Norman Schooley (deceased). She is survived by her sister Karen Bradley and predeceased by her brother Courtney Schooley.

In Dunnville Shelley met her first husband Charles Lovegrove, and in the 1970s had two beloved daughters, Jennifer and Susan. In 1995, she married her second husband Thomas Bernard and became parent to Daniel. She is survived by all three of her children and three grandchildren: Noah, Dylan and Evangeline, who she loved and adored.

In her career as a personal support worker (PSW), Shelley helped many people in the community, where her kind, compassionate and open-minded nature fostered meaningful connections with those she supported.

As an avid reader – especially of mysteries – she instilled a love of books in her children. Shelley was also an avid thrifter, instilling in her daughters a love of yard sales and vintage stores. In the early days of eBay, she hosted a thriving collectibles business, sourcing treasures for collectors all over the world. Her daughters passionately carry on these literary and entrepreneurial legacies.

She was devoted to her wonderful grandchildren, to a good chat over coffee, and to telling off anyone who encouraged her to quit smoking.

She loved Leonard Cohen, bingo, and meaningful talks. She had no patience for hypocrisy. Despite challenges, she embodied resilience in the face of adversity. 

We leave you with lines by her beloved Leonard Cohen:

Ring the bells that still can ring, 
Forget your perfect offering, 
There is a crack, a crack in everything, 
That’s how the light gets in.

From ‘Anthem’

There will be a celebration of life in Dunnville at a later date. In lieu of flowers, consider a donation to St. Joseph’s Hospital Foundation https://stjoesfoundation.ca, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health https://www.camh.ca, or another charity that is important to you.