WESTBROOK – Bernadette Poirier Mickeriz passed away on Aug. 21, 2023, of natural causes at the tender age of 99. She was born in Rumford, and lived there most of her life. She spent many winters in warmer climes including Florida, Arizona and Hawaii. The last few years she lived at Stroudwater Lodge in Westbrook. She was the second daughter of Vincent and Marie Poirier.

Bernie loved family functions of any kind. Whether it be family ski trips, blueberry picking, traveling, birthdays or holiday celebrations. She was proud of her Acadian heritage and loved spending time with her dear sisters and relatives and speaking a combination of French and English.

She lost her mother to tuberculosis at 8-years old and due to financial hardships, she and some of her siblings were sent to the Marcotte orphanage in Lewiston while others were sent to live with relatives. Despite this difficult upbringing, the Poirier family remained extremely close and supportive of each other until they could be reunited with their father.

Bernie graduated from Stephens High School in Rumford in the class of 1942 along with her soon-to-be husband George Mickeriz who predeceased her in 2004. She graduated from St. Mary’s School of Nursing and for years was a maternity nurse at Rumford Hospital where she delivered babies both with the doctor or, when necessary, by herself. She also helped place orphans with appropriately matched families throughout western Maine. After many years of general nursing, she went back to school and earned certification as a psychiatric nurse and worked for Tri County Mental Health as a counselor. Her work in this field was highly regarded while doing what she loved, helping those in need.

Later in life after the passing of her husband George she had the great fortune to fall in love with John Gallant also of Rumford. They shared a number of loving years together traveling and enjoying each other’s company.

Bernie is survived by her children Michael Mickeriz and his wife Jane of Rumford, Erika Myer and her husband Peter of Portland, Mark and his wife Sandra of Wells, and Stephen and his wife Martha of Montverde, Fla. Her grandchildren who called her Meme are Erik Mickeriz of San Diego, Sonja Theriault of Minot, Colby Myer of Brunswick, Morgan Myer of Portland, Molly Myer Davis of Falmouth, Elizabeth Lepisto of Kennebunk, Laura Briggs of Kennebunk, and Kristen Giles of Shapleigh. She is also survived by 15 great-grandchildren and six great-great-grandchildren.

The love of our mother we shall never forget for love is ageless and knows not to pine. From the nesting of fledglings to this very second of time.

Friends and family are invited to go online and share memories with the family at: http://www.meaderandson.com

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m., on Friday, Sept. 8, 2023, at The Parish of the Holy Savior- St. Athanasius and St. John’s Church. Interment will follow at the St. John’s Cemetery in Rumford.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Meader & Son Funeral Home, 3 Franklin St., Rumford.

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