Julia M. Bernard

NEW GLOUCESTER - Julia Bernard, 39, of New Gloucester Maine went to be with the Lord on Tuesday, November 28th, 2023. Julia exemplified her Christian faith in all aspects of her life, including her family, her church, her work, and her community. She was a shining light to everyone that she met, with a bright, welcoming smile, a huge personality, and eyes that always told a story.

Growing up Julia loved her extracurricular activities - participating in plays, chorus, volunteer work, and working as a teacher’s assistant. Her love for children was a huge part of her adult life as well, including the time she spent teaching kindergarten at Eastgate Christian Academy and the role of doting “Auntie Juju” that she had in the lives of not only her nephews and nieces, but in the lives of so many children of her friends and extended family.

Julia loved to have fun and adventure and loved to include and help others as part of that. She traveled with family and friends, went on mission trips, led a youth group, and hosted countless parties, events, and activities. She frequently travelled to the ocean area since this was her favorite place to talk to God and find rest for her soul. Julia had a passion for baking and loved to incorporate that into her gatherings with bake offs, cookie swaps, and countless amazing desert creations. She was an event planner for her family, her friends, and work – always filling her gatherings with fun and excitement.

Julia’s passion for baking extended to her work where she excelled beyond the bakery, progressing into a store manager role at Hannaford supermarkets from a part-time position in high school, and then into the corporate office, where she worked in marketing – a role that she loved.

Julia was born in Lewiston, Maine to father Peter Bernard and mother Diane Bernard, and is the middle sibling of five children, surrounded by four brothers. She was much loved by her favorite Aunt Jo-anne Bolduc and her siblings - brother Joshua Bernard and wife Becky Bernard, brother Jeremie Bernard and wife Erica Bernard, brother Jesse Bernard and wife Stella Bernard, and brother Jeffrey Bernard and wife Vanessa Bernard. Julia was also the best Aunt in the world to her beloved nieces and nephews – Carter, Ivan, Anika, and Madison.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, December 9th at 9am at Pinette Dillingham & Lynch Funeral Home, where we will come together and share in our memories and love for Julia. As a nod to her bright personality, Julia wanted us to celebrate, and at her request we are asking folks who join us to please not wear black as this is not a somber occasion. Also, people who wish to participate can do so by bringing balloons to celebrate. The event will be followed by a service at 11am at the same facility, and a processional to the Danville Pine Street Cemetery in Auburn will happen directly after. All are welcome.

In lieu of sending flowers and as an acknowledgement of Julia’s love for helping children, we are asking for any donations or contributions to be sent to the Samaritan’s Purse. Julia loved their mission and participated in Operation Christmas Child for many years. Information is available at Operation Christmas Child | Shoebox Outreach of Samaritan’s Purse link is as follows;:

https://www.samaritanspurse.org/memorial-page/julia-bernard-new-gloucester-me/