Longtime resident, founding member of Harvard Pro Musica
Bernie Dillard (Courtesy photo)
Bernardette Florence (Stein) Dillard of Harvard passed away Wednesday, Sept. 1, 2010, after a brief illness, at Emerson Hospital in Concord, with her family at her side.
Bernie was a resident of Harvard for more than 40 years and was an active member and dedicated volunteer for St. Andrew’s Parish in Ayer. She was active in the Harvard Chapter of the Girl Scouts of America, a founding member of Harvard Pro Musica, a longtime volunteer at Nashoba Deaconess Hospital, and a Docent at Fruitlands Museum.
The daughter of Bernard F. and Blanche A. (Rioux) Stein of Lisbon Falls, Maine, Bernie was the first of her family to attend college at the University of Maine, Orono. There she was vice president and president of the Alpha Kappa chapter of the Delta Delta Delta Sorority, and an All-Maine Woman. She also was secretary of the Inter-Faith Council, secretary of the chorus, soloist and choir director for the Our Lady of Wisdom Chapel, member, soloist and secretary of the Glee Club, and member of the honorary music society Mu Alpha Epsilon. She graduated with a BA in music in 1951, and continued service to the Maine Alumni Association throughout her life.
She leaves her husband of 59 years, Edward Ford Dillard of Harvard; her daughter and son-in-law, Martha Louise Dillard and Paul Norman Seaquist, of Topsham, Maine; her son and daughter-in-law, Edward Wynde and Teresa Marie Dillard of Dedham; and one grandson, Tyler Sheridan Dillard, also of Dedham.
Bernie touched all around her with her kindness, her gentle courage, and the strength of her faith, her love of music, and her stoic, (and often pointed), sense of humor.
A memorial service will be held at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church, 7 Faulkner St. in Ayer, Friday, Sept. 17, at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church.
