Linda May (Bernier) Day, born July 3, 1944, in Ware, MA, passed away peacefully on October 23, 2024, surrounded by her cherished family and friends. Linda took ill in July of this year and battled bravely until her body was just not strong enough to fight any more.  

Linda was the daughter of the late Adelard (1964) and Alice (Kowalker) Bernier (1991). She was raised in Bondsville, MA and attended Palmer schools.  

Linda met her future husband while both were working at the Alamac Knitting Mills in Bondsville and married him on January 11, 1964. Linda was a wonderful mother to 5 children and worked as a baker for many years at Wilbraham and Monson Academy. Linda loved and accepted Jesus Christ as her Lord and Savior and was a member of Faith Baptist Church in Palmer MA. 

Linda loved hosting her children and grandchildren to her lavish lasagna, magnificent macaroni and cheese, and mouthwatering meatball dinners that were often requested for birthday meals or just a reason to eat over at Grammie and Papa’s. She also loved baking cakes and cookies, but mostly her world-famous pumpkin bread...with or without nuts.  Linda loved treating her grandchildren to a mini golf match followed up by a trip to McDonald's. She belonged to a candle pin bowling league for multiple years.  

Later in life, she found her talent in arts and crafts. Linda enjoyed painting rocks, sometimes with a special image specifically for a neighbor. When the neighbor left their house, she would leave the rock on their doorstep and let them wonder where it came from. She created beautiful projects from a wide variety of materials. Most often, her end results were gifted to loved ones. Each Thanksgiving and Christmas, she crafted seat markers for the table, each tailored to the individual at that place.  

Linda enjoyed watching The Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy each night and looked forward to her weekly reality shows, Big Brother, Amazing Race and Survivor. She was a big fan of watching the Boston Red Sox, specifically during the Don Orsillo and Jerry Remy era. For over a decade, she could be found working the polls at the Divine Mercy Parish for local, state and national elections and will be truly missed by the voters in her precinct. Linda enjoyed sitting outside watching the birds, squirrels, chipmunks, woodchucks, and all the other animals that ventured through her yard and neighborhood. She was an avid reader of all things about the Holocaust. She could often be found after supper beating her husband Forris at a game of Skip-Bo.  

In addition to her parents, Linda is predeceased by her brother Adelard Bernier, Jr. (1999) and his wife Joan (Sweet) (2007), brother-in-law William Jalbert (2024), sister-in-law Elaine (Couture) Bernier (2024), father in law James A. Day (1980) and mother in law Orinda (Morris) Day (1986), brothers in law Barry Day (1999) and C. Douglas Day (2022), sister-in-law Verdice (Day) Lynch (2014), nephew Johnnie Holt (2011), and daughter-in-law April (Before) Day (2009). 

Linda leaves behind Forris B. Day, Sr., her husband of 60 years, nine months and 12 days and her five children, Forris “Butch” Day, Jr. and wife Renee (Frydryk), Scott C. Day and wife Catherine (Fay), Jeffrey Day, Sr. and wife Catherine (Carlson), Eric Day and wife Erica (Mercer) and daughter Tammy Foster. Grammie will be deeply missed by her 13 grandchildren, Christine (Day) Hood, Aaron Day, Samuel Day, Rebecca Day, Jeffrey Day Jr., Devin Foster, Joshua Foster, Meghan Salisbury, Aidan Day, Kathleen Day, Amber Houle, Chris Ulrich and John Ulrich. Linda was great Grammie to Tyler Desrochers, Haile Desrochers, Madison Houle, Tristan Houle, Kira Houle, Kayden Ulrich, Ava Ulrich, Rhiana Ulrich and was thrilled to have met and held Lennox Avery Day, her newest great grandchild, on the day before she passed. Linda was also excited about the arrival of her great granddaughter Day due in January 2025. She was able to cradle her in Mom’s belly. 

Linda also leaves behind her siblings Raymond Bernier, Janet (Bernier) Jalbert, Theodore Bernier and wife Frances (Picard) and Robert Bernier. She was blessed with 23 nieces and nephews, nearly 30 great nieces and nephews, as well as a handful of great great nieces and nephews. 

Her husband and children would like to acknowledge her neighbors Allyne and Christine Barthlette for all their support and assistance throughout the years but especially during Linda’s illness.  

Her family would also like to send a special thank you to the staff at Mercy Medical Center for the care given to Linda over the past few months. They were instrumental in aiding Linda on her final journey with compassion and love and supporting her family throughout.  

A viewing will take place at Faith Baptist Church, 251 Shearer St. Palmer, MA, on Wednesday, October 30th from 9:00 AM until 11:00 AM, followed by a service. Linda will then be escorted to her final resting place at Four Corners Cemetery, 4137 Main Street, Thorndike, MA. Linda’s service will be streamed and recorded through Faith Baptist Church. Please go to https://www.faithbaptistchurchpalmer.org to join and celebrate Linda. 

Anyone who knew Linda, knew her love of glittery and sparkly things. Her favorite color was turquoise. She requested those in attendance wear her color or sequins, sparkles or anything that shines. Linda also requested, in lieu of flowers, to please consider a donation to Shriners Children’s New England Hospital, 516 Carew Street, Springfield, MA 01104.