Bernadette M. (Soychak) Donohue Stewart
BIDDEFORD – Bernadette M. Soychak Donohue Stewart, 94, passed away on Oct. 28, 2024, with her loving daughter by her side at St. Andre Health Care in Biddeford.
She was born in Lisbon Falls on Dec. 30, 1929. Her parents were the late John and Mary (Pavelko) Soychak.
She graduated from Lisbon High School in 1948. She worked at the Worumbo Mill and Robert’s Pharmacy, and then worked at BNAS and Riley Insurance in Brunswick.
A talented musician, she served as church organist, and was the pianist for three senior groups when she lived in Connecticut. She served as president, for three years, of the American Legion Auxiliary #17. Bernadette was also district music chairman and played at various American Legion conventions.
She was very proud of her Slovak heritage, and loved cooking her traditional Slovak meals, especially around the holidays. She enjoyed knitting, playing cards, watching the Red Sox, playing bingo, casino trips, and listening to old time tunes.
She is survived by her daughter, Maureen Donohue Berry and her husband Steven of Saco, two stepdaughters, Susan Cross and Sandy Stewart and a stepson, Raymond Jr. of Connecticut; son-in-law, Kenneth White of Connecticut; grandchildren, Matthew, Natalie, Alex, Samantha; great-grandchildren, Rose, Cooper, and Luke; and over 30 beloved nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by husband, Raymond Stewart; one of her daughters, Patricia Donohue White; infant sister, Agnes, and her five brothers, Joseph, John, Anthony, Francis “Tiger”, and Thomas Soychak.
The family extends heartfelt gratitude to St. Andre’s remarkable staff for their compassionate care, and also to the hospice team Compassus.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, Nov. 8, at 11 a.m., at Holy Trinity Church. Committal prayers will then follow at Sts. Cyril and Methodius Cemetery. Visitation will be held on Friday, Nov. 8, from 9 a.m., until the time of the Mass at the Crosman Funeral Home, 40 Main St., Lisbon Falls, 353-4951. Online condolences and sharing of memories may be expressed at http://www.crosmanfuneralhome.com.
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