Dorothy “Dot” L Bernier

Dorothy “Dot” L Bernier of Palm Harbor, Florida died Monday, February 13, 2023 at the age of 96.

Dorothy was born December 21, 1926 in Canton, Ohio to Richard and Helen Bremkamp, who preceded her in death. She grew up in their loving arms along with her three brothers, Richard Jr, Jim and Bob, and two sisters Jean (Caster) and Mary Margaret (Stockdale); who have all also predeceased her. Dorothy graduated from Canton – Lincoln High School and later attended Bowling Green State University and Ohio State University.

It was at Ohio State that Dot met fellow Canton native Edmund Bernier in 1946. They fell in love and were married in Canton on Thanksgiving Day in 1948. She thought Ed looked like the famous band leader Glenn Miller. Ed and Dot raised eight children, who have all led highly successful personal and professional lives, and in whom she took great pride and joy. A ninth son, Ronald, died in infancy.

Ed and Dorothy collaborated on a very successful construction business, where Dot’s administrative and bookkeeping skills supported Ed’s carpentry and design abilities. Together they built many fine homes in the greater Canton area.

Dorothy later returned to college at Kent State University and graduated with a BS in Secondary English Education in 1967. She then went on to teach in the Canton Public School system at Timken High School, retiring in 1980. She and Ed then moved to Florida, where she worked in administrative roles at Foremost Insurance and then at Mease-Countryside Hospital before fully retiring to care for her home and pursue her many church activities. Ed and Dorothy lived their remaining years in Palm Harbor until the time of Ed’s passing in 2007, after 59 happy years together.

Dorothy was a devout, life-long Catholic. She grew up in the Canton St Joseph parish and was a member of Canton’s Our Lady of Peace congregation for many years. During her time in Palm Harbor, Dorothy belonged to St Michael the Archangel Church where she had many friends and many volunteer roles, including serving in the Legion of Mary with Ed making visits to many hospitals and nursing homes to support, comfort and pray the rosary with residents. She also advocated tirelessly for the unborn.

In 2017 Dorothy moved to the Harbor Chase Assisted Living facility in Palm Harbor, where she gained many new friends and was very fond of the staff, as they were of her. She will be missed by many of her fellow residents. The family appreciates the wonderful care and support she received there from the Harbor Chase team.

Dorothy is survived by her eight children: Bob (Mary) of Omaha, NE and identical twin Bill (Wendy) of Warrensburg, MO, Jim (Michele) of Cadillac, MI, Ken (Sue) of Cincinnati, OH, his twin sister Christine (Barry) Arnold of Sherwood, AR, Linda (Richard) Pearson of Chesapeake Beach, MD, Patricia (Greg) McNeese of Palm Harbor, FL and Barbara (Brien) Culhane of Miami, FL. In addition, she is survived by 18 grandchildren, 35 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great-grandchildren.

Dots family will receive friends and relatives at the Williams Funeral Home on Sunday, February 19 from 3 to 5 PM, with the Rosary to be prayed at 4:45.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St Joseph Catholic Church on Monday, February 20 at 10 AM. The funeral procession will form at the church. Burial will follow in Calvary Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, friends are invited to make a memorial contribution to support ‘The Kimberly Home Pregnancy Resource Center in Clearwater Florida”. Those wishing to share a memory or their condolences may sign the online guestbook at dwilliams.com.

WILLIAMS FUNERAL HOME AND CREMATION SERVICES 330-455-0387