Margaret Ann Bernier

Margaret passed away peacefully on October 29, 2024, from breast cancer. She was 63. Margaret leaves behind the love of her life for 37 years, Joanne Schulze, their cat, Sparky, her family and many dear friends.

Margaret was born in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and was the youngest of seven children. Margaret earned her Bachelor of Science in Accountancy and CPA at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in 1983. She left her childhood home to join a public accounting firm in Boston, Massachusetts. Three years later, she resigned from the firm to explore other career opportunities. Margaret worked for non-profit and for-profit companies before starting her own consulting firm in 1994, focusing on project management and process improvement techniques. Her clients were in London, New York, Alaska and Rhode Island. After years of traveling away from home for weeks at a time, Margaret left consulting. She then worked in health care administration in the Boston area until 2018, when she was hired by New England Fishery Management Council only a few blocks from home.

In 1994, Margaret and Joanne purchased their first house on Salem Street in Newburyport, Massachusetts. Margaret was quick to get involved in her community. She volunteered her financial expertise as Treasurer of the Newburyport Maritime Society and Chair of the Newburyport Board of Sewer Commissioners. Being a “newcomer’’ in town didn’t stop Margaret from running for a city council at-large seat. She lost but enjoyed meeting people while campaigning.

In 2000, Margaret had her first oil painting lesson with Enrico Donati. She also studied with Kevin Shea and Lully Schwartz. Margaret was inspired by the marshes in Newbury, Massachusetts. Over the years, her portfolio expanded to include paintings of dory boats, seascapes, the rocky coasts of Maine and Ireland, and still life paintings of colorful flower bouquets. Margaret had many successful art shows in Essex County, including Newburyport Art Association, Anna Jaques Hospital’s “Art Wall” in Newburyport, the Hall-Haskell House Ipswich Visitor Center in Ipswich, The Governor’s Academy in Byfield, and Lowell’s Boat Shop in Amesbury. She was a proud member of the National Association of Women Artists. In 2016, Margaret joined a docent class at the Cape Ann Museum in Gloucester, Massachusetts. Aside from giving weekly tours at the Museum, Margaret helped with special projects and events and was always generous with her time.

Margaret’s creativity expanded beyond the easel. She had a green thumb, as seen by the beautiful gardens she built and maintained over the years surrounding their home. She created colorful crepe paper flowers, watercolor paintings, and crafted festive holiday gifts to share with family and friends. She also loved to bake, and every year she mailed dozens of her delicious Christmas cookies to her family. Margaret and Joanne entertained often and hosted many of the neighborhood’s holiday potluck parties. During summer block parties, Margaret enjoyed playing games with the kids most of all.

No matter the season, Margaret was an avid walker. She walked daily along Joppa Park which offered much inspiration for many of her paintings. Always inquisitive, she decided to put on a pair of wellies to explore the mud along Joppa flats at low tide. She was hooked and found a new hobby called mudlarking. Over the years, she could be seen in the distance, walking along the mud flats for hours. Her collection of “finds” includes old coins, marbles, clay smoking pipes, jewelry, ink well bottles, dishware shards, and the list goes on.

Margaret and Joanne fell in love with Ireland during their first trip thirty years ago and visited many times since with family and friends. Margaret’s well-known tenacity kicked into high gear when she learned that she could become an Irish citizen. Ancestry.com became a close friend as she spent years researching and collecting documents about her maternal grandmother who was born in Ireland. The more she learned, the prouder she became of her Irish heritage. In 2016, her years of research paid off, and she was thrilled when she received a letter from the Irish Consulate confirming her registration as an Irish citizen.

Margaret was readily available to lend a helping hand to family, friends and strangers alike. Margaret was candid and strong-willed especially when standing up for what she believed in. Her abundance of knowledge about almost any topic sparked many lively conversations, and her “can-do” spirit encouraged confidence in others. Margaret will always be remembered for her bright, friendly smile, her quick humor, and her charitable generosity.

Four years ago, Margaret started trumpet lessons. She practiced playing in the back yard, serenading the neighbors with jazzy tunes and Beatles songs during the early evening hours until she was forced to stop due to exertion caused by cancer treatments. When Margaret passed away, a dear friend wrote to Joanne that Margaret “is telling those angels in heaven how a trumpet should really be played.”

Margaret is lovingly remembered by her siblings Louise K. Bernier of Wheaton, Illinois, Mary E. Bernier (Jose Serrano) of Chicago, Illinois, Howard G. Bernier of Rockford, Illinois, Clare Bernier (Ken Harward) of Plano, Texas, Joseph G. Bernier (Kathy) of Wheaton, Illinois; and a niece, two nephews and two great nieces. Margaret was preceded in death by her mother, Louise K. (McCall) Bernier, her father, Howard J. Bernier, and her sister, Janet A. Bernier.

Joanne, along with family and friends, is grateful for the care Margaret received at Anna Jaques Hospital, the Cancer Center and Physical Therapy, as well as at the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers, Massachusetts. Joanne sincerely appreciates the guidance she received from Twomey, LeBlanc & Conte Funeral Home in Newburyport.

Margaret’s Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Newburyport.

Donations in Margaret’s memory can be made to the Cape Ann Museum, Gloucester, Massachusetts or Anna Jaques Aide Association, Newburyport, Massachusetts.

To offer online condolence please visit www.tlcfuneralhome.com