LEWISTON – Fernande L. Bardier, 79, passed away on Feb. 26, at Central Maine Medical Center, Lewiston, after an extended illness.

She was born Oct. 9, 1927, in Auburn. During the Depression, after the death of her mother, she and her siblings were placed under the care of the nuns at the Marcotte facility. Later, her father remarried and was able to bring the family back together.

As a young woman, she worked in the local shoe shops.

She later married Lionel Bardier, also of Auburn. During their marriage she had five children, Jeanine Cardillo, the late Rose Bardier, Lionel Bardier, Daniel Bardier and Michael Bardier.

She traveled with her husband while he was in the army, and later she returned to Maine, settling in Lewiston, where she received training and a job as a nurse’s aid for St. Mary’s Hospital.

She spent her years working multiple cleaning jobs during the day, while maintaining her job as a nurse’s aid during the evening and raising her children.

In 1973, she went back to school, attending night classes and received her high school diploma.

After her early retirement from St. Mary’s Hospital, she received training as a medical technician and worked at Russell Park Manor for a number of years.

In 1988, she moved to Florida and lived with her son Lionel, and his family. In 1996, she moved back to Lewiston, wanting to spend the remainder of her life in the town she considered home.

She was a member of the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.

She leaves behind her daughter, Jeanine, and spouse Bill Cardillo, of Fla.; her sons, Lionel, and spouse Bobbie, of Illinois, Daniel, of Lewiston, and Michael, and spouse Kathleen, of New Gloucester; her brother, Leo, and spouse Darlene Pare, of Iowa; her sister Marie Conrad, of Arizona; and her stepbrother, Roger, and spouse Tweety Poulin, of California; 12 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was predeceased by her daughter, Rose Bardier; her sister, Lorraine Reiglemann; her brother, Robert Pare; her stepbrother, Paul Poulin; her grandson, Christopher Bardier; and her former husband, Lionel.

Another member of this nation’s greatest generation called home. She and her generations’ greatest contribution to this nation was the commitment they held in family and the willingness to make so many personal sacrifices, so their children could have a better life. That was our Mom. She will be missed.