Solange “So-So” Bernard passed away to be with her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ on October 8, 2020 at the age of 73. At the time of her death, Solange lived In Tampa, Florida. She succumbed to her 2 ½ year battle against Ovarian Cancer.
Solange was born in Port Au Prince, Haiti on February 9, 1947. Her birth parents were Marius Langlois and Celine Duversin. She attended the Caroline Chauveau Secondary School in Haiti.
Solange married her childhood sweetheart, Jacques Roger Bernard, in Haiti on November 26, 1966. After her marriage to Jacques, they both emigrated to the United States, to pursue a new life of opportunities in New York City. They settled in Brooklyn, NY as she pursued her passion of cosmetology and earned her certification from the Wilfred Beauty Academy in New York, New York. They had 3 children, Marie Romy, Judy Rosalie, and Alain Millien. She later pursued part-time employment with Chase Manhattan Bank as an office clerk to help contribute to the household income and move into the family’s first home in Rosedale, Queens, NY. Several years later, Solange decided to pursue a new career as an Executive Assistant working for Helen Keller International.
She retired from Helen Keller International in 2002. With Jacques nearing retirement they made a plan to move to West Palm Beach, FL with some long time friends and to build their retirement dream home. Two years later she was joined by Jacques. They enjoyed 14 years in West Palm Beach.
After her diagnosis of Ovarian Cancer, Solange and Jacques most recently moved to Tampa, Fl to be under the care of Moffitt Regional Cancer Center.
Solange is survived by:
• Her husband, Jacques Bernard in Tampa, FL
• Her daughter Marie Bernard-Taylor and her husband Robert in New York, her daughter Judy Belnavis and her husband Mark in Florida, and her son, Alain Bernard and his wife, Yalonda in New Jersey
• Her grandchildren are Donovan, Tamara, and Ashley Taylor; Jonathon and Angeline Belnavis; and Isaiah, Leah, and Hannah Bernard
Funeral Service Information:
Friday, October 16, 2020 at 11:00am at Saint Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church – 9724 Cross Creek Blvd, Tampa, FL 33647: Phone (813) 907-7746
• Father Richard Jankowski; Celebrant
• Pallbearers: Alain Bernard, Robert Taylor, Mark Belnavis, Donovan Taylor, Jonathon Belnavis
• There will be no Visitation/Wake
• Due to the COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, there will be no reception at this time.
• A Celebration of Life memorial will be planned at a future date
• Solange’s final care arrangements were facilitated by Blount & Curry Funeral Home at Temple Terrace in Tampa, Fl.
Please do not send flowers, instead please make donations to the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance in Solange Bernard’s name at the following link: https://give.ocrahope.org/give/186942/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=OCRAWeb&c_src2=WaystoGive
Thank you to family and friends who were able to attend and those who had the heart and desire to attend but could not due to our current COVID-19 Pandemic restrictions. Your love is felt across the miles.
A verse from Solange’s favorite scripture passage Psalm 91 – “He that dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty!”
DONATIONS
Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance Post Office Box 32141, New York, New York 10087
SHARE OBITUARY
v.1.8.18